cathartic
Releasing pent-up feelings
Cathartic describes something that provides emotional release or relief, especially after suppressing difficult feelings.
A cathartic cry leaves you feeling lighter.
A cathartic conversation finally airs long-held grievances.
The word comes from a Greek term for cleansing or purging.
In medicine, a cathartic is a strong laxative—purging the body rather than the emotions.
Releasing emotion verbally
- sobbingConvulsive crying aloud
- cryingEmotional tear release
- grievingFeeling sorrow after loss
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
screaming · laughing · weeping · releasing · purging · confessing · expressing · processing
Promotes intestinal evacuation
- enemaRectal fluid injection
- purgingForcible elimination of unwanted
- evacuantAgent causing evacuation
- aperientMild bowel-loosening agent
purgation · emetic · expulsion · elimination · voiding · flushing · cleansing · detoxifying
Opening for airflow
- unburdenRemove a weight from
- liberationRelease from constraint
- outpouringCopious, spontaneous release
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
unleash · expunge · unload · decompress · unwind · defuse · exhale · freeing
Restoration of health
- restorativePromoting return to health
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- curativePromoting recovery from illness
- remedialIntended to fix problems
beneficial · palliative · alleviative · rehabilitative · comforting · salutary · nurturing · recuperative
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- theatreArt of staged performance
- narrativeAccount of events
storytelling · climax · denouement · resolution · pathos · pity · fear · audience
venting
Releasing emotion verbally
unburdening · screaming · laughing · weeping · releasing · purging · confessing · expressing · processing · confronting
laxative
Promotes intestinal evacuation
aperient · purgation · emetic · expulsion · elimination · voiding · flushing · cleansing · detoxifying · expelling
vent
Opening for airflow
- unburdenRemove a weight from
- liberationRelease from constraint
- outpouringCopious, spontaneous release
discharge · unleash · expunge · unload · decompress · unwind · defuse · exhale · freeing · unbottling
healing
Restoration of health
- restorativePromoting return to health
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- curativePromoting recovery from illness
remedial · beneficial · palliative · alleviative · rehabilitative · comforting · salutary · nurturing · recuperative · regenerative
tragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- theatreArt of staged performance
narrative · storytelling · climax · denouement · resolution · pathos · pity · fear · audience · spectacle
- tragedytragedy, tragic flaw, tragic hero, tragic heroes, tragic irony
- apothecarypharmacy, apothecary, drugstore, dispensary, pharmacist
- laxativeslaxative, laxatives, stool softener, stool softeners, purgative
- old remediescalomel, laudanum, tartar emetic, nostrum, patent medicines
- cleanerscleaner, cleaners, maids, maid, detergent
catharticsuppressive
Tending to restrain
repressive · bottling up · stifling · inhibiting · unemotional
cathartictraumatizing
Causing psychological harm
distressing · aggravating · worsening · unhealthful · harmful
catharticcostive
Chronically unable to defecate
constipating · binding · astringent · obstructive · blocking
- cathartic experienceEmotionally purifying event
- cathartic releaseFreeing trapped feelings