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Synonyms

satisfy

American

[sat-is-fahy] / ˈsæt ɪsˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to.

The hearty meal satisfied him.

Synonyms:

please, pacify, appease, gratify
to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision.

The hearty meal satisfied his hunger.
to give assurance to; convince.

to satisfy oneself by investigation.

Synonyms:

persuade
to answer sufficiently, as an objection.
to solve or dispel, as a doubt.
to discharge fully (a debt, obligation, etc.).
to make reparation to or for.

to satisfy an offended person; to satisfy a wrong.
to pay (a creditor).
Mathematics.
1. to fulfill the requirements or conditions of.
  
  to satisfy a theorem.
2. (of a value of an unknown) to change (an equation) into an identity when substituted for the unknown: x = 2 satisfies 3 x = 6.

verb (used without object)

to give satisfaction.

satisfy British

/ ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ /

verb

(also intr) to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
to provide amply for (a need or desire)
to relieve of doubt; convince
to dispel (a doubt)
to make reparation to or for
to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)
to fulfil the requirements of; comply with

you must satisfy the terms of your lease
maths logic to fulfil the conditions of (a theorem, assumption, etc); to yield a truth by substitution of the given value

x = 3 satisfies x² – 4x + 3 = 0

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

Satisfy, content refer to meeting one's desires or wishes. To satisfy is to meet to the full one's wants, expectations, etc.: to satisfy a desire to travel. To content is to give enough to keep one from being disposed to find fault or complain: to content oneself with a moderate meal.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of satisfy

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English satisfien, from Middle French satisfier, from unattested Vulgar Latin satisficāre (for Latin satisfacere “to do enough”; see satisfaction); see -fy

Explanation

To satisfy is to fulfill or meet a want, need, requirement, or expectation. A brilliant paper on Edgar Allan Poe might satisfy a literature class requirement, and a candy bar might satisfy a craving for chocolate. Since there are so many things we need and want, there are lots of ways to satisfy us. Eating a sandwich will satisfy your hunger. Overhearing a conversation could satisfy your curiosity. Going to school should satisfy your desire for knowledge. In college, you'll have to take certain classes to satisfy requirements of your degree. The word comes from the Latin satisfacere, which basically means “do enough.”

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing satisfy

Power Suffix: -fy

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

satisfy satisfies satisfied satisfying

You probably have a lot of questions, and “One Night Only” is only going to satisfy some of them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

In addition to dragging the pieces into place, much of the opening episode seems meant to satisfy an impulse to show off Kansas City — Sudeikis grew up in that area.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

Millions of investors wanted the stock, but relatively few shares were available to satisfy that demand.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

The news might not satisfy connoisseurs’ cravings for their beloved yogurt, however.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

The hesitancy in her eyes makes me want to reassure her, but I don’t think I can explain in any way that will satisfy my parents.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Gregg, Mandery writes, “created the bedrock principles of modern death penalty jurisprudence: that a non-arbitrary death penalty satisfies the Constitution and that the requirement of non-arbitrariness could be satisfied by Georgia’s approach.”

From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026

The delicate diplomatic effort is being led by Michael Needham, a senior state department official who has been tasked with crafting a deal that satisfies Trump while also respecting Denmark's redlines around protecting its borders.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

“Project Hail Mary” is wholesome science fiction that satisfies like a jumbo serving of apple pie and milk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026

Crucially, this tax-advantaged strategy satisfies your required minimum distributions without increasing your adjusted gross income.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 12, 2026

We take selfies while we wait—and it takes approximately a thousand tries before we get one that satisfies Abby.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

“I’m not entirely satisfied where this is,” he said of the fund, “and I have no doubts that I’ll have concern in the future.”

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

Denmark's immigration minister Morten Bødskov said he was "very satisfied" with Spain's quick response, but added that the incident showed "it is absolutely crucial that we have control over the EU's borders".

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Planning Department said in July that the project satisfied the state law’s environmental criteria; the neighborhood association has continued to push back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

"I have not heard any negative opinions ... everyone is rather satisfied," Renata Golebiewska, mayor of Kikol, told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Despite besting twenty-three of the world’s most eminent chess players, though, he remained relatively unimpressed with his performance: “I am satisfied with the result, but not with my play.”

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

I grated a ripe tomato into a bowl, an operation I find disproportionately satisfying.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026

And they are satisfying to portray, he says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

It will be particularly satisfying as that was an event she had worked hard at improving heading into 2026.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

A satisfying puzzle break: What’s a four-letter word for “Those who often hear a siren song”? Treat your brain to some delightful wordplay in today’s crossword.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

Nurse Beverly laughed and flicked the towel at him—just hard enough to make it give a satisfying snap, without putting him in any danger of being hit.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023