satisfy
Americanverb (used with object)
-
satisfies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
satisfied,
past participle, past
-
satisfying
present participle
-
to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to.
The hearty meal satisfied him.
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to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision.
The hearty meal satisfied his hunger.
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to give assurance to; convince.
to satisfy oneself by investigation.
- Synonyms:
- persuade
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to answer sufficiently, as an objection.
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to solve or dispel, as a doubt.
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to discharge fully (a debt, obligation, etc.).
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to make reparation to or for.
to satisfy an offended person; to satisfy a wrong.
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to pay (a creditor).
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Mathematics.
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to fulfill the requirements or conditions of.
to satisfy a theorem.
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(of a value of an unknown) to change (an equation) into an identity when substituted for the unknown: x = 2 satisfies 3 x = 6.
-
verb (used without object)
-
satisfies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
satisfied,
past participle, past
-
satisfying
present participle
verb
-
(also intr) to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
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to provide amply for (a need or desire)
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to relieve of doubt; convince
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to dispel (a doubt)
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to make reparation to or for
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to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)
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to fulfil the requirements of; comply with
you must satisfy the terms of your lease
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maths logic to fulfil the conditions of (a theorem, assumption, etc); to yield a truth by substitution of the given value
x = 3 satisfies x² – 4x + 3 = 0
Synonym Usage
Satisfy, content refer to meeting one's desires or wishes. To satisfy is to meet to the full one's wants, expectations, etc.: to satisfy a desire to travel. To content is to give enough to keep one from being disposed to find fault or complain: to content oneself with a moderate meal.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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satisfiernoun
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satisfyingnessnoun
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outsatisfyverb (used with object)
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presatisfyverb (used with object)
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supersatisfyverb (used with object)
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nonsatisfyingadjective
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satisfiableadjective
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satisfyingadjective
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unsatisfiableadjective
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satisfyinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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satisfysimple
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satisfiessimple
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have satisfiedperfect
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has satisfiedperfect
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am satisfyingprogressive
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are satisfyingprogressive
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is satisfyingprogressive
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have been satisfyingperfect progressive
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has been satisfyingperfect progressive
Past
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satisfiedsimple
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had satisfiedperfect
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was satisfyingprogressive
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were satisfyingprogressive
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had been satisfyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of satisfy
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English satisfien, from Middle French satisfier, from unattested Vulgar Latin satisficāre (for Latin satisfacere “to do enough”; see satisfaction); see -fy
Explanation
To satisfy is to fulfill or meet a want, need, requirement, or expectation. A brilliant paper on Edgar Allan Poe might satisfy a literature class requirement, and a candy bar might satisfy a craving for chocolate. Since there are so many things we need and want, there are lots of ways to satisfy us. Eating a sandwich will satisfy your hunger. Overhearing a conversation could satisfy your curiosity. Going to school should satisfy your desire for knowledge. In college, you'll have to take certain classes to satisfy requirements of your degree. The word comes from the Latin satisfacere, which basically means “do enough.”
Vocabulary lists containing satisfy
Power Suffix: -fy
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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:
The scandal emerged when several funds were unable to satisfy redemption demands.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
The move, orchestrated by Everett to satisfy the demands of the company’s top-dollar backers, cheats Michael out of his stock options and equity in the company.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
There’s just not enough AI computing power to satisfy demand, Fraser said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
He acknowledged that the decision "will not satisfy everyone" but said the Academy would continue to have discussions over the development of the award.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Even Fat Cheeks wouldn’t march the troop into the lake to satisfy his pride.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
Done in that order, the QCD satisfies part of the RMD without adding a dollar to AGI, leaving more headroom under the Medicare surcharge tier before conversion income stacks.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
Gregg, Mandery writes, “created the bedrock principles of modern death penalty jurisprudence: that a non-arbitrary death penalty satisfies the Constitution and that the requirement of non-arbitrariness could be satisfied by Georgia’s approach.”
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026
There is no easy solution, no clean resolution that satisfies ideology.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
The delicate diplomatic effort is being led by Michael Needham, a senior state department official who has been tasked with crafting a deal that satisfies Trump while also respecting Denmark's redlines around protecting its borders.
From BBC ● May 12, 2026
“I have thought of many possible theories, but not one that really satisfies me.”
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
Once she was finally satisfied with her arrangements, she flew to England, where the London Symphony Orchestra added firepower.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
“Not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side at the end of the year,” Ohtani said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
The open-enrollment period is an important time for all beneficiaries, even those satisfied with their insurance plans.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026
But whether that led to a deal would depend on whether one could be struck that satisfied both parties.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
She did not always feel so absolutely satisfied with herself, so entirely convinced that her opinions were right and her adversary’s wrong, as Mr. Knightley.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
He does, in very satisfying style, shut down the grandsons of Hitler’s beloved Richard Wagner, who hope he will help them to revive their grandfather’s Bayreuth Festival.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
The world number 65 said the win was "the least satisfying" he has ever had as he progressed to the last 32 to face Michael Holt.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
That said, “in our view this does not make for a particularly satisfying equity market bear case,” as AI will deliver a payoff over a longer time horizon, he said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
What is it about a detective show that you find particularly satisfying?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
It made a satisfying thunk and the photo with the young Dr. Achebe enlarged.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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