gratifying

[grat-uh-fahy-ing]

adjective

1. tending to gratify; giving or causing satisfaction; pleasing.

Other Word Forms

• gratifyingly adverb
• nongratifying adjective
• nongratifyingly adverb
• ungratifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratifying¹

First recorded in 1605–15; gratify + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Perhaps most gratifying to Ellison is that with AI, the world is coming around to his vision of what matters most in technology.

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It’s been gratifying that people have come back in the way they have, and we definitely feel their love for the show, but we had obstacles in terms of getting to that place, coming back.

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Now, I’m learning how to pour that love, energy, and care directly into myself, which is so much more gratifying.

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So the idea of doing something to push back against the president is quite invigorating and, no doubt, gratifying for Democratic partisans.

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Olsen: The idea that being vulnerable is OK, and to show that to the world and have it pay off in this way, must be really gratifying.

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Related Words

• delightful 
• enjoyable 
• pleasant 
• pleasing 

When To Use

What are other ways to say gratifying?

Something that is gratifying gives or causes satisfaction. But calling something gratifying isn’t exactly the same as calling it pleasing or interesting. Find out why on Thesaurus.com.