satisfaction

American

[sat-is-fak-shuhn] / ˌsæt ɪsˈfæk ʃən /

noun

an act of satisfying; fulfillment; gratification.
the state of being satisfied; contentment.

Synonyms:

enjoyment, comfort, pleasure

Antonyms:

discontent, displeasure
the cause or means of being satisfied.
confident acceptance of something as satisfactory, dependable, true, etc.
reparation or compensation, as for a wrong or injury.

Synonyms:

recompense, requital, indemnification, indemnity, atonement, expiation, amends
the opportunity to redress or right a wrong, as by a duel.
payment or discharge, as of a debt or obligation.

Synonyms:

remuneration, repayment
Ecclesiastical.
1. an act of doing penance or making reparation for venial sin.
2. the penance or reparation made.

satisfaction British

/ ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən /

noun

the act of satisfying or state of being satisfied
the fulfilment of a desire
the pleasure obtained from such fulfilment
a source of fulfilment
reparation or compensation for a wrong done or received
RC Church Church of England the performance by a repentant sinner of a penance
Christianity the atonement for sin by the death of Christ

"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

Other Word Forms

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.

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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.

See Examples For:

satisfaction

He added that while the data made the labor market look robust, worker job satisfaction was "historically quite low."

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Across the placebo comparisons, medical cannabis produced little or no clinically meaningful improvement in sleep quality, satisfaction with sleep, total hours slept, or daytime functioning.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

Helplessness melts into righteous rage as you type some scathing retort, as loneliness gives way to the metallic taste of parasocial satisfaction as the likes and reposts flood in.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026