catharsis

/kəˈθɑrsɪs/
noun
  1. The process of releasing strong emotions, such as sadness or anger, through art, storytelling, or other experiences, leading to a feeling of relief.
    • Writing in a journal gave her a sense of catharsis after a difficult week.
    • Crying during a sad movie can be a form of catharsis for many people.
    • The play's tragic ending provided the audience with a powerful catharsis.
  2. In psychology, the release of repressed emotions to reduce psychological tension.
    • Yelling into a pillow can be a simple way to achieve catharsis.
    • The therapist encouraged catharsis by having the patient talk about painful memories.
    • Some people find catharsis through physical activities like running or boxing.
Antonyms
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