gratify
to give pleasure to (a person or persons) by satisfying desires or humoring inclinations or feelings: Her praise will gratify all who worked so hard to earn it.
to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.
Origin of gratify
1synonym study For gratify
Other words for gratify
Other words from gratify
- grat·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
- grat·i·fi·ed·ly [grat-uh-fahy-id-lee, -fahyd-], /ˈgræt əˌfaɪ ɪd li, -ˌfaɪd-/, adverb
- grat·i·fi·er, noun
- o·ver·grat·i·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·grat·i·fied, o·ver·grat·i·fy·ing.
- pre·grat·i·fy, verb (used with object), pre·grat·i·fied, pre·grat·i·fy·ing.
- su·per·grat·i·fy, verb (used with object), su·per·grat·i·fied, su·per·grat·i·fy·ing.
- un·grat·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
- un·grat·i·fied, adjective
- well-grat·i·fied, adjective
Words that may be confused with gratify
- grateful, gratified
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use gratify in a sentence
George, a great host, is said to have announced, “I have no objection to any sober or orderly person’s gratifying their curiosity in viewing the buildings.”
Many people who’ve had what’s called the hero’s dose of psilocybin mushrooms have come through that experience gratified, informed, happier, more creative, more compassionate, more satisfied with the concept of life and death.
How Psilocybin Can Save the Environment - Issue 90: Something Green | Mark MacNamara | September 30, 2020 | NautilusThe giggle fit continues, finally abated with a gratified sigh.
Danielle Brooks, Taystee on ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ Is the Breakout Star of the Year | Kevin Fallon | December 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhat gratified her was that critics and other novelists embraced her book with no idea as to who actually wrote it.
UPDATE: My sister checked in to say she read this post and to pronounce herself gratified that I opted for the Prada handbag.
Then, too, leaders can be flattered, rewarded, ego-gratified and tamed.
HarperCollins declined to give further details of the settlement, but said in a statement that it was "gratified."
Your covetous wish that you and your daughter should reign at Hartledon is on the point of being gratified.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodNancy, appearing much gratified thereby, saluted him cordially.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensWas it right to fill this woman with romantic aspirations that could never be gratified?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeEdna was not so consciously gratified at her husband's leaving home as she had been over the departure of her father.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinHe had never been invited into a woman's crypts before, and he hardly knew whether he were gratified or repelled.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
British Dictionary definitions for gratify
/ (ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ) /
to satisfy or please
to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
obsolete to reward
Origin of gratify
1Derived forms of gratify
- gratifier, noun
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
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