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; fact, satiate

Example Sentences

A Gallup poll last year revealed that satisfaction with public education had reached a 24-year low, and people have good reason to be miffed.

From The Wall Street Journal

And while there could be no open display of celebrating for Aunt Kitty and myself after our work on the murder case, we both were feeling the satisfaction of another mystery solved.

From Literature

But, with the exception of Pets at Home, customer satisfaction on cost is much lower for the big companies.

From BBC

There’s a satisfaction in the challenge, in proving to myself that I can stretch ingredients, improvise a meal, and still feel taken care of.

From Salon

For them, there will be no better feeling than paying off their mortgage and writing that last check — even if the satisfaction is slightly dulled because of your generosity.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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