abreaction

A1B3R1E1A1C3T1I1O1N1
US/ˌæb.ɹiˈæk.ʃn̩/

noun

The re-living of an experience with a view to purging its emotional dross.

Similar
catharsiskatharsis
First used First attested in the early 20ᵗʰ century.Scrabble 14
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Meanings

nounabreaction (plural abreactions)

plural abreactions

  1. human sciencesThe re-living of an experience with a view to purging its emotional dross.First known use First attested in the early 20ᵗʰ century.

Synonyms & antonyms

noun(psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions

Similar
catharsiskatharsis
Broader
purgepurging
Also see
catharsis

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Partial calque of German Abreagierung, from ab (“away from”) + Reagierung (“reaction”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech abreakce
  • abreakcepsychoanalysis
Dutch afreagering, emotionele ontlading
  • afreageringpsychoanalysis
  • emotionele ontladingpsychoanalysis
French abréaction
  • abréactionpsychoanalysis
German Abreaktion
  • Abreaktionpsychoanalysis
Greek ψυχοκάθαρση
  • ψυχοκάθαρση (psychokátharsi)psychoanalysis
Indonesian abreaksi
  • abreaksipsychoanalysis
Portuguese ab-reação
  • ab-reaçãopsychoanalysis

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

aerobactinacerbationBarnicoate
Cite this entry
APA

abreaction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/abreaction

MLA

“abreaction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/abreaction. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “abreaction,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/abreaction.

Source: abreaction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.