self-satisfyingadj.
/ˌsɛlfˈsatᵻsfʌɪɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfˈsædəsˌfaɪɪŋ/ Satisfying, fulfilling, or indulging one's own needs or desires.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > self-satisfaction > [adjective] > self-satisfying
self-pleasing1590
self-contentinga1612
self-satisfying1649
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > complacency > [adjective] > causing complacency
self-contentinga1612
self-satisfying1649
1649 G. Winstanley New Law Righteousnes xi. 92 This self-satisfying glory in which you live..shall become your hell-torment.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 306 They ravel more, still less resolv'd, But never find self-satisfying solution. View more context for this quotation
1781 W. Cowper Truth 7 Then farewell all self-satisfying schemes, His well-built systems, philosophic dreams!
1847 J. Keble Serm. Academical & Occas. 42 Those self-satisfying thoughts, which the doctrine of assurance..is continually fostering among Christians.
1887 N. Amer. Rev. Dec. 682 The average American voter of respectability is permeated by an optimism so complete and self-satisfying that he rarely recognizes in himself the existence of a political conscience.
1947 T. L. Kelley Fund. of Statistics v. i. 185 The stabilities of life that each finds..are self-satisfying and eternal in the mind of the conceiver.
1986 United Press Internat. Newswire (Nexis) 3 July This land will not prosper with smug, self-satisfying people who only think of themselves.
2000 E. H. Johnson & C. H. Johnson Linking Community & Corrections in Japan viii. 304 Prisoners discharged upon completion of sentence join probationers in facing the difficulties of finding a responsible and self-satisfying place in the community.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1649