Showing results for satisfy. Search instead for to satisfy.

Synonyms

satisfy

American

[sat-is-fahy] / ˈsæt ɪsˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); give full contentment to.

The hearty meal satisfied him.

Synonyms:

please, pacify, appease, gratify
to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision.

The hearty meal satisfied his hunger.
to give assurance to; convince.

to satisfy oneself by investigation.

Synonyms:

persuade
to answer sufficiently, as an objection.
to solve or dispel, as a doubt.
to discharge fully (a debt, obligation, etc.).
to make reparation to or for.

to satisfy an offended person; to satisfy a wrong.
to pay (a creditor).
Mathematics.
1. to fulfill the requirements or conditions of.
  
  to satisfy a theorem.
2. (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)

to give satisfaction.

satisfy British

/ ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ /

verb

(also intr) to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
to provide amply for (a need or desire)
to relieve of doubt; convince
to dispel (a doubt)
to make reparation to or for
to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)
to fulfil the requirements of; comply with

you must satisfy the terms of your lease
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

"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

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.”

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing satisfy

Power Suffix: -fy

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"The Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 2

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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:

satisfy satisfies satisfied satisfying

The firm said it would have to satisfy a list of conditions and receive a final examination from the OCC before it can become operational.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

There was also "insufficient supporting evidence to satisfy concerns around the potential impact of the proposal on biodiversity and the natural environment", the council said.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Whatever the verdict is, it is unlikely to satisfy those close to Shakur.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

If her kids are named as beneficiaries on your friend’s life insurance, the proceeds pass directly to them and are not available to satisfy the deceased’s creditors.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

The unlucky pair stumbled off through the nighttime woodland, gesticulating and muttering together, weaving a fabric of lies that they hoped would satisfy Cluny the Scourge.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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

Zelensky is trying to strike a solution that satisfies all sides to avoid divisions in the face of the ongoing invasion.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 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

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

The intelligent beings in these regions should therefore not be surprised if they observe that their locality in the universe satisfies the conditions that are necessary for their existence.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Choosing more water-rich, high-fiber plant foods may help people lower their calorie intake while still eating enough to feel satisfied.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

People who chatted with sycophantic AI reported being less satisfied with real-world human interactions, compared with those using non-sycophantic models, according to another study co-written by Cheng and published in June.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

When the Parole Board approved Razzell's release on licence in April, it said in a statement that the "panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public".

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

If she runs the $15,000 QCD in January instead, and takes the remaining $25,000 out for herself, then the RMD is satisfied and she has just $25,000 of reported income.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

When he was satisfied with his work, he stepped back and said, “Good as new, Olka.”

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

A low-fat vegan diet can reduce the energy density of the foods people eat by about 30%, helping them consume fewer calories while still eating satisfying amounts of food.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

The series of switchbacks with hairpin turns offer a satisfying run up to Pine Mountain Summit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

This clever tale is most satisfying when Ms. McTiernan brings that painful conundrum to life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

"It's great fun and really satisfying when you've managed to feed all those families as well."

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

I put my math book into my locker, and this time I shut it with a very satisfying slam before I see Principal Trask.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023