The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CATHARTIC
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
A
T
H
A
R
T
I
C
More clues leading to the result CATHARTIC
- One in new chart act providing release
- Purging heretic, a habitual response
- Cleansing tractor, horse and lorry
- Cleaning woman’s lorry
- Girl goes somewhere cold – not twice – for cleansing
- Helping one to get rid of rocking chair, with tact needed
- Purgative has member of medieval sect twitching
- Whip with peeled sharp stick? It’s purifying!
- New chart act grabs one as emotionally purifying
- Cleansing tractor and front of heavy lorry
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "providing release" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case providing release = cathartic.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CATHARTIC mean?
CATHARTIC noun- A laxative.
- Purgative; inducing (mental or physical) catharsis
- That releases emotional tension, especially after an overwhelming experience