cathartic

/kəˈθɑrdɪk/

/kəˈθɑtɪk/

Other forms: cathartics; cathartically

A movie, play, or song that makes you cry is called cathartic. Most good writers try to create work that causes you to experience a strong rush of emotion.

If you've been feeling like you need a good cry, you should watch a cathartic movie like Bambi — or any film that's sure to make you weep. Things that are cathartic don't always call up tears. Things that make you scream, like a roller-coaster ride or a boxing match, are also cathartic. Whatever causes you to release a sudden flood of feelings is cathartic. Some therapies ask you to hit a pillow or break dishes, because those can be cathartic activities.

Definitions of cathartic

1. adjective

   emotionally purging
   synonyms: psychotherapeutic

   healthful

   conducive to good health of body or mind
2. adjective

   emotionally purging (of e.g. art)
   synonyms: releasing

   emotional

   of more than usual emotion
3. adjective

   strongly laxative
   synonyms: evacuant, purgative

   laxative

   stimulating evacuation of feces
4. noun

   a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels
   synonyms: aperient, physic, purgative

   types:

   aloes, bitter aloes

   a purgative made from the leaves of aloe

   castor oil

   a purgative extracted from the seed of the castor-oil plant; used in paint and varnish as well as medically

   Epsom salts

   (used with a singular noun) hydrated magnesium sulfate used as a laxative

   laxative

   a mild cathartic

   milk of magnesia

   purgative consisting of a milky white liquid suspension of magnesium hydroxide; used as a laxative and (in smaller doses) as an antacid

   Rochelle powder, Seidlitz powder, Seidlitz powders

   an effervescing salt containing sodium bicarbonate and Rochelle salt and tartaric acid; used as a cathartic

   phenolphthalein

   a laxative used in many preparations under various trade names; also used as an acid-base indicator in titrations involving weak acids and strong bases because it is brilliant red at high alkalinity and colorless below pH 8

   type of:

   medicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine

   (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease