noun
clearing one's heart of doubts; reassuring oneself
Refers to the act of dispelling lingering worries or suspicions, often by taking action or receiving confirmation. Not a common everyday word; more likely found in literary or introspective contexts.
彼は真実を知って念晴らしをした。
He cleared his heart of doubts by learning the truth.
気晴らし means 'diversion' or 'recreation' to refresh one's mood, while 念晴らし specifically targets dispelling doubts or mental unease.
Compound of 念 (ねん, 'thought, concern') and 晴らし (はらし, from 晴らす 'to clear away'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently means 'clearing away one's concerns'.