catharsis — the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions
Pronunciation (IPA): /kəˈθɑːrsɪs/
Example Sentences
- After screaming at the pillow for 10 minutes, she felt a strange catharsis, like her anger had been vacuumed out.
- The therapy session provided the catharsis he desperately needed.
- Cleaning his room became an unexpected catharsis - as the mess disappeared, so did his anxiety.
catharsis
NOUN[/kəˈθɑːrsɪs/]
the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions
After years of pain, telling the whole story brought her catharsis.
Writing in her journal became a source of catharsis. (CLEANSE + EMOTION = CATHARSIS)
Through catharsis after a crisis, inner peace rises.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Greek 'katharsis' meaning 'cleansing' or 'purification,' derived from 'katharos' (pure, clean). The term was famously used by Aristotle in his Poetics to describe the emotional effect of tragedy on audiences.
Breakdown
kathar- (pure, clean) + -sis (noun suffix indicating a process or action) = catharsis (a process of emotional purification or release)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After screaming at the pillow for 10 minutes, she felt a strange catharsis, like her anger had been vacuumed out.”
“The therapy session provided the catharsis he desperately needed.”
“Cleaning his room became an unexpected catharsis - as the mess disappeared, so did his anxiety.”
“The artist found catharsis in painting her traumatic experiences.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.