gratify

[ grat-uh-fahy ]

/ ˈgræt əˌfaɪ /

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See synonyms for: gratify / gratified / gratifying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR gratify

1 please, delight, gladden.

See synonyms for gratify on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of gratify

1350–1400; Middle English gratifien<Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt(us) pleasing + -i--i- + -ficāre-fy

synonym study for gratify

1, 2. See humor.

OTHER WORDS FROM gratify

grat·i·fi·a·ble, adjectivegrat·i·fi·ed·ly

[grat-uh-fahy-id-lee, -fahyd-], /ˈgræt əˌfaɪ ɪd li, -ˌfaɪd-/, adverbgrat·i·fi·er, nouno·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, adjectiveun·grat·i·fied, adjectivewell-grat·i·fied, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gratify

grateful, gratified

Words nearby gratify

grater, Gratiae, Gratian, graticule, gratification, gratify, gratifying, gratin, gratinate, gratinated, gratiné

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gratify in a sentence

I’m gratified by this entire experience, including knowing that this donation will go directly to helping future lawyers gain valuable experience and to fight for justice for others.
Law firm that won settlement in Md. HBCU case donating $12.5 million in fees|Pamela Wood|November 19, 2021|Washington Post
The moment was indeed worth an ovation, for the turn of events is gratifying and — should the productions gain further momentum and extend again — a remarkable change of fortune.
Broadway is off to a shaky start, but a last-minute reprieve for two acclaimed plays lifts spirits|Peter Marks|November 4, 2021|Washington Post
Community organizers who have fought for a decade to end oil extraction in urban neighborhoods were gratified by the large penalty, and said they hope it will be collected.
We Reported on How California Rarely Cracks Down on Oil Companies. Now Regulators Have Fined One Company $1.5 Million.|by Janet Wilson, The Desert Sun|June 2, 2021|ProPublica
The women all provide similar accounts, alleging the star quarterback contacted them via Instagram over the past year to arrange massages in which he then attempted to get them to gratify him sexually.
As more Deshaun Watson accusers go public, their attorney rails against quarterback’s response|Will Hobson|April 15, 2021|Washington Post

Yet, aside from the top-shelf quality of its sights, sounds and performances, what makes Aretha so gratifying to watch is how fully Parks delivers on the promise to illuminate Franklin’s genius.
Genius: Aretha Is a Lavish, Lively Showstopper That Hits a Few False Notes|Judy Berman|March 19, 2021|Time
Most of the meddlers in our lives do it to gratify their own egos or because they mistakenly believe they are helping.
America’s Meddlers Are Our Worst Enemies|Stefan Beck|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He carried tales, told lies, and tried to make trouble, for no reason but to gratify his inclinations.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
In the autumn of this year I was able to gratify my taste for travel by a longer excursion than usual.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Of refined tastes, including a penchant for blue china, being a thriving bachelor, he was able to gratify them.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Norman's face was a sight, as he stood holding Aubrey in his arms, to gratify the child's impatience.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
In short, he may gratify his every whim and fancy, without a pang of reposing conscience, or the least jostle of his self-respect.
The Pocket R.L.S.|Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for gratify

gratify

/ (ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to satisfy or please

to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)

obsolete to reward

Derived forms of gratify

gratifier, noun

Word Origin for gratify

C16: from Latin grātificārī to do a favour to, from grātus grateful + facere to make

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

gratify

OTHER WORDS FOR gratify

Origin of gratify

synonym study for gratify

OTHER WORDS FROM gratify

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gratify

Words nearby gratify

Words related to gratify

How to use gratify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gratify

Derived forms of gratify

Word Origin for gratify