catharsis

nounpurging, purification

Synonyms for catharsis

noun purging, purification

Antonyms for catharsis

dirtying

Word Origin & History

1803, "bodily purging," from Latinized form of Greek katharsis "purging, cleansing," from stem of kathairein "to purify, purge," from katharos "pure, clear of dirt, clean, spotless; open, free; clear of shame or guilt; purified" (with most of the extended senses now found in Modern English clear, clean, pure), of unknown origin. Originally medical in English; of emotions from 1872; psychotherapy sense first recorded 1909, in Brill's translation of Freud.

Example Sentences forcatharsis

It does not touch the ‘catharsis’ of tragedy, which is another matter.

Evacuations by venesection and catharsis, and then by the exhibition of opium.

There are certainly times when catharsis is necessary but "one thing is certain, the day for routine purgation is past."

He however refers only to the catharsis upon the spectator, but not to that of the author's work upon himself.

He had no sympathy with the poetry that had a social message and he did not understand its effect as a catharsis.

catharsis

Synonyms for catharsis

Antonyms for catharsis

More words related to catharsis

cleaning

lustration

purge

purification