Word of the day: Catharsis (noun)
Possible Meanings:
- (Psychology) The process of releasing strong or repressed emotions, leading to a state of renewal or emotional cleansing. (Most common meaning)
- (Literature) The purification or purgation of emotions (especially pity and fear) experienced by the audience of a tragedy. (Less common meaning)
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Example Sentences (Meaning 1):
- Talking to a therapist provided her with the catharsis she needed to move on from past trauma. (Explanation: Catharsis describes the emotional release and potential healing that came from therapy.)
- Crying during a sad movie can be a form of catharsis, allowing you to process difficult emotions. (Explanation: Here, catharsis describes the emotional release experienced while watching a sad film.)
Example Sentences (Meaning 2 – Less common):
- The play aimed to evoke catharsis in the audience, allowing them to confront and release their fear of death. (Explanation: Catharsis describes the emotional cleansing experienced by viewers of the tragic play.)
Conversation Example:
- Person 1: “I feel so much lighter after finally talking to my friend about what happened.”
- Person 2: “That sounds like a cathartic experience. It’s important to express your feelings sometimes.” (Explanation: Person 2 uses cathartic to describe the emotionally freeing conversation.)
Can you use catharsis in a sentence of your own? Share your example in the comments below.
Additional Notes:
- Catharsis is often associated with negative emotions, but it can also be experienced with positive emotions like joy or excitement.
- The concept of catharsis originated in ancient Greek drama, where tragedies were believed to evoke this emotional release in the audience.