Catharsis is getting rid of unhappy memories or strong emotions such as anger or sadness by expressing them in some way.
He wrote out his rage, which gradually became a form of catharsis.
Synonyms: release, cleansing, purging, purification More Synonyms of catharsis
catharsis in British English
(kəˈθɑːsɪs)
nounWord forms: plural-ses
1.
(in Aristotelian literary criticism) the purging or purification of the emotions through the evocation of pity and fear, as in tragedy
2. psychoanalysis
the bringing of repressed ideas or experiences into consciousness, thus relieving tensions
See also abreaction
3.
purgation, esp of the bowels
Word origin
C19: New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein to purge, purify
catharsis in American English
(kəˈθɑrsɪs)
noun
1.
purgation, esp. of the bowels
2.
the purifying of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, esp. by art; concept applied originally by Aristotle to the effect of tragic drama on the audience
3. Psychiatry
the alleviation of fear, problems, and complexes by bringing them to consciousness or giving them expression
Word origin
ModL < Gr katharsis, purification < kathairein, to purify < katharos, pure
Examples of 'catharsis' in a sentence
catharsis
The classic motive of tragedy is catharsis.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And the scene in which violence erupts is powerful without offering easy catharsis.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Writing the book provided a catharsis of sorts.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We seek catharsis, the feeling of being made new.
Christianity Today (2000)
They would also provide catharsis.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I can see the interest is intense, as is the emotional catharsis provided.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Lives of Others has failed to produce a national catharsis.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
War needs literature to record, protest, provide catharsis and remember.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
(noun)
Definition
the relief of strong suppressed emotions, for example through drama or psychoanalysis
Writing acted as a catharsis for all his painful feelings.