Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Abreaction · Ab·re·ac·tion · IPA /ˌæb.ɹiˈæk.ʃn̩/ 01 n. the purging of emotional tensions. See Catharsis, below. 1. the purging of emotional tensions. See Catharsis, below.(Psychotherapy) See: Catharsis Syn. catharsis, katharsis