Laxative vs. Purgative

A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.

Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

Stimulating evacuation of the bowels.

A purgative agent or medicine; a cathartic.

Causing looseness or relaxation, especially of the bowels.

(capable of) purging

Having the effect of moving the bowels, or aiding digestion and preventing constipation.

Something, such as a substance or medicine, that purges; laxative

Any substance, such as a food or in the form of a medicine which has a laxative effect.

Having the power or quality of purging; cathartic.

Having a tendency to loosen or relax.

A purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels

Having the effect of loosening or opening the intestines, and relieving from constipation; - opposed to astringent.

Strongly laxative

A mild cathartic

Stimulating evacuation of feces