1. providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions

1. a medicine that causes the bowels to empty
Usage: medical

Examples

• Writing in her journal was cathartic after the difficult breakup.
• The movie’s ending provided a cathartic release for the audience.
• He found running to be cathartic when dealing with stress.
• Crying can be cathartic during times of grief.
• The doctor prescribed a cathartic to help with the patient’s constipation.
• Many people find art therapy cathartic for processing trauma.