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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• nonsatisfaction
  noun
• presatisfaction
  noun
• supersatisfaction
  noun
• undersatisfaction
  noun
• satisfactional
  adjective
• satisfactionless
  adjective

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; cf. fact, satiate

Explanation

Satisfaction is the act of fulfilling a need, desire, or appetite, or the feeling gained from such fulfillment. Satisfaction means you’ve had enough — in a good way. When a product says "Satisfaction guaranteed" it means you’ll like it or they'll give you your money back. A good meal provides satisfaction of your hunger. When you graduate from school or get a good job, you have a feeling of satisfaction. This term once meant an act of atonement assigned by a priest to make up for a sin. When something is explained well, it was explained to your satisfaction.

Example Sentences

“I’ll tell you the patient satisfaction rate is extremely high and patients are very, very happy on these meds,” Siavoshi says.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026

But you can increase your job satisfaction and ensure your company is getting the best version of you by aligning work tasks that you enjoy with the goals of your organization.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026

If we choose to collapse into a monolithic, uncritical chorus whenever a wronged woman writes a memoir, we are trading our real potency for the cheap satisfaction of rah-rah-go-us groupthink.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

But right now, what a beautiful satisfaction it is to experience this World Cup through his wide-eyed wonder, to treasure this passion we share.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a comeback.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

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