satisfaction

American  

[sat-is-fak-shuhn] / ˌsæt ɪsˈfæk ʃən /

noun

1. an act of satisfying; fulfillment; gratification.

2. the state of being satisfied; contentment.

   Synonyms:

   enjoyment, comfort, pleasure

   Antonyms:

   discontent, displeasure

3. the cause or means of being satisfied.

4. confident acceptance of something as satisfactory, dependable, true, etc.

5. reparation or compensation, as for a wrong or injury.

   Synonyms:

   recompense, requital, indemnification, indemnity, atonement, expiation, amends

6. the opportunity to redress or right a wrong, as by a duel.

7. payment or discharge, as of a debt or obligation.

   Synonyms:

   remuneration, repayment

8. Ecclesiastical.

   1. an act of doing penance or making reparation for venial sin.

   2. the penance or reparation made.

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satisfaction British  

/ ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən /

noun

1. the act of satisfying or state of being satisfied

2. the fulfilment of a desire

3. the pleasure obtained from such fulfilment

4. a source of fulfilment

5. reparation or compensation for a wrong done or received

6. RC Church Church of England the performance by a repentant sinner of a penance

7. Christianity the atonement for sin by the death of Christ

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Other Word Forms

• nonsatisfaction
  noun
• presatisfaction
  noun
• satisfactional
  adjective
• satisfactionless
  adjective
• supersatisfaction
  noun
• undersatisfaction
  noun

Etymology

Origin of satisfaction

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin satisfactiōn-, stem of satisfactiō “amends, excuse, penalty,” from satisfact(us) “compensated, sufficed” (past participle of satisfacere “to do enough, apologize, compensate,” from satis “enough” + facere “to do, make”) + -iō -ion; replacing Middle English satisfaccioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above; cf. fact, satiate

Explanation

Satisfaction is the act of fulfilling a need, desire, or appetite, or the feeling gained from such fulfillment. Satisfaction means you’ve had enough — in a good way. When a product says "Satisfaction guaranteed" it means you’ll like it or they'll give you your money back. A good meal provides satisfaction of your hunger. When you graduate from school or get a good job, you have a feeling of satisfaction. This term once meant an act of atonement assigned by a priest to make up for a sin. When something is explained well, it was explained to your satisfaction.

Example Sentences

That happiness and satisfaction comes from looking in the mirror and loving yourself.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

“When he told me that he wanted to be like my family, like his grandparents, it was a great satisfaction for me,” said Liliana.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

We've recruited 2,000 more GPs and satisfaction has risen from 60 per cent to 74.5 per cent since we came to office.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

The pilot program is live in more than 500 stores, and shoppers have shown high satisfaction and repeat visits, with minimal investment, notes Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Her mouth puckered in a way that made me think she was making a half-hearted attempt to keep her satisfaction hidden.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• achievement
• amusement
• comfort
• contentment
• delight
• enjoyment
• fulfillment
• gratification
• happiness
• joy
• peace of mind
• pleasure
• pride
• relief
• vindication
• well-being