catharsis
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for catharsis, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A powerful release of pent-up emotion, often triggered by a dramatic experience like a film, book, or performance.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use catharsis
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Greek katharsis, "cleansing" or "purging" — Aristotle used the word to describe how tragic drama purges an audience's pity and fear.
Full origin of catharsis →Frequently asked questions
What does “catharsis” mean?
The word “catharsis” means a powerful release of pent-up emotion, often triggered by a dramatic experience like a film, book, or performance. In plain terms, an emotional release that leaves you feeling lighter or cleansed, often after something intense.
How do you pronounce “catharsis”?
“Catharsis” is pronounced kuh-THAH-sihs (/kəˈθɑɹˌsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “catharsis” in a sentence?
Here is “catharsis” used in a sentence: “Watching the tragedy unfold on stage gave the audience a real sense of catharsis.”
What part of speech is “catharsis”?
“Catharsis” is a noun.
Where does the word “catharsis” come from?
The word “catharsis” comes from Greek. From Greek katharsis, "cleansing" or "purging" — Aristotle used the word to describe how tragic drama purges an audience's pity and fear.
How many meanings does “catharsis” have?
“Catharsis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a powerful release of pent-up emotion, often triggered by a dramatic experience like a film, book, or performance.