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Showing results for gratifying. Search instead for prenotifying.
Synonyms

gratifying

American  
[grat-uh-fahy-ing] / ˈgræt əˌfaɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

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


gratifying British  
/ ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪɪŋ /

adjective

  1. giving one satisfaction or pleasure

"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

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of gratifying

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"But obviously it's infinite and very mysterious so I don't think I get the understanding I'm looking for but the process is really gratifying," he adds.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Even the surprising, gratifying wins like Madigan’s and Jordan’s feel as though they’re a mere half-step in the ceremony’s larger context.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

It’s very gratifying that something that’s this close to my heart has had such an amazing time.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

Her dad said watching her come out and transition has been gratifying, because “the smile came back, the light in her eyes came back.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Only the steady pounding of rain on the roof is gratifying, sounding as if old Huracan were beating on the building for all the crimes engineered inside.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez