Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense satisfies, present participle satisfying, past tense, past participle satisfied
1. verb
If someone or something satisfies you, they give you enough of what you want or need to make you pleased or contented.
The pace of change has not been quick enough to satisfy everyone. [VERB noun]
We just can't find enough good second-hand cars to satisfy demand. [VERB noun]
The scandal stories satisfy people's curiosity for a few hours. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: content, please, indulge, fill More Synonyms of satisfy
2. verb
To satisfy someone that something is true or has been done properly means to convince them by giving them more information or by showing them what has been done.
He has to satisfy the environmental lobby that real progress will be made to cutemissions. [VERB noun that]
He wanted to satisfy himself that he had given his best performance. [VERB noun that]
Synonyms: convince, persuade, assure, reassure More Synonyms of satisfy
3. verb
If you satisfy the requirements for something, you are good enough or have the right qualities to fulfil these requirements.
The procedures should satisfy certain basic requirements. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: comply with, meet, fulfil, answer More Synonyms of satisfy
More Synonyms of satisfy
satisfy in British English
(ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ)
verbWord forms: -fies, -fying or -fied(mainly tr)
1. (also intr)
to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
2.
to provide amply for (a need or desire)
3.
to relieve of doubt; convince
4.
to dispel (a doubt)
5.
to make reparation to or for
6.
to discharge or pay off (a debt) to (a creditor)
7.
to fulfil the requirements of; comply with
you must satisfy the terms of your lease
8. mathematics, 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
Derived forms
satisfiable (ˈsatisˌfiable)
adjective
satisfier (ˈsatisˌfier)
noun
satisfying (ˈsatisˌfying)
adjective
satisfyingly (ˈsatisˌfyingly)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Old French satisfier, from Latin satisfacere, from satis enough + facere to make, do
satisfy in American English
(ˈsætɪsˌfaɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈsatisˌfied or ˈsatisˌfying
1.
to fulfill the needs, expectations, wishes, or desires of (someone); content; gratify
2.
to fulfill or answer the requirements or conditions of (something)
3.
to comply with (rules, standards, or obligations)
4.
a.
to free from doubt or anxiety; convince
b.
to answer (a doubt, objection, etc.) adequately or convincingly; solve
5.
a.
to give what is due to
b.
to discharge (an obligation, debt, etc.); settle in full
6.
to make reparation to or for
verb intransitive
7.
to be satisfying, adequate, sufficient, etc.
SYNONYMY NOTE: satisfy implies complete fulfillment of one's wishes, needs, expectations, etc.; , content1 implies a filling of requirements to the degree that one is not disturbed by a desirefor something more or different [some persons are satisfied only by great wealth, others are contented with a modest but secure income]
Derived forms
satisfier (ˈsatisˌfier)
noun
Word origin
ME satisfyen < OFr satisfier < L satisfacere < satis, enough (see sad) + facere, to make (see do1)
Examples of 'satisfy' in a sentence
satisfy
This might satisfy the creditors and could put the company on a sound financial footing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
What makes shaving so satisfying for me?
Christianity Today (2000)
But being world champion may not be enough to satisfy him.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We spend so much time at work that it makes sense to do something you find satisfying.
The Sun (2015)
This may be one place where we should satisfy our curiosity and then move on.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
They face the prospect of administration if they cannot satisfy creditors.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The art of writing popular science is the art of satisfying the curiosity you have piqued.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She will sell her house to satisfy her creditors.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The fact they viewed it as such a formality makes it doubly satisfying we knocked them out.
The Sun (2010)
They do want something more aesthetically satisfying.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Meals out and theatre and cinema trips satisfy a need to socialise and provide lasting memories.
The Sun (2009)
The menu was broad, and straightforward enough to satisfy all of our needs.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That's quite enough to satisfy the appetites of any man.
The Sun (2015)
Irvine will have to sell non-core assets to satisfy creditors.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Without a doubt I'm satisfied with his commitment.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
satisfy
British English: satisfy VERB
If someone or something satisfies you, they give you enough of what you want or need to make you pleased or contented.
The pace of change has not been quick enough to satisfy everyone.
American English: satisfy
Brazilian Portuguese: satisfazer
Chinese: 使满意
European Spanish: satisfacer
French: satisfaire
German: zufriedenstellen
Italian: soddisfare
Japanese: 満足させる
Korean: 만족시키다
European Portuguese: satisfazer
Latin American Spanish: satisfacer
Chinese translation of 'satisfy'
satisfy
(ˈsætɪsfaɪ)
vt
(= please)[person]使满(滿)足 (shǐ mǎnzú)
[curiosity]满(滿)足 (mǎnzú)
[demand]满(滿)足 (mǎnzú)
[requirements, conditions]符合 (fúhé)
(= convince)
to satisfy sb that ... 使某人相信 ... (shǐ mǒurén xiāngxìn ... )
to satisfy o.s. that ... 使自己确(確)信 ... (shǐ zìjǐ quèxìn ... )
1 (verb)
Definition
to fulfil the desires or needs of (a person)
The pace of change has not been quick enough to satisfy everyone.
Synonyms
content
please
This comment pleased her immensely.
indulge
My success has let me indulge my love of expensive cars.
fill
They filled themselves with chocolate cake.
feed
appease
The offer has not appeased separatists.
gratify
Her work at the Treasury gratified her sense of self-importance.
pander to
assuage
The meat they'd managed to procure assuaged their hunger.
pacify
Is this just something to pacify the critics?
quench
He stopped to quench his thirst at a stream.
mollify
surfeit
satiate
There is enough fruit to satiate several children.
slake
They had to melt snow to slake their thirst.
sate
children happily sated with ice cream
Opposites
frustrate
,
annoy
,
exasperate
,
displease
,
dissatisfy
,
give cause for complaint
2 (verb)
Definition
to convince
He has to satisfy us that real progress will be made.
Synonyms
convince
I soon convinced him of my innocence.
persuade
Derek persuaded me of the feasibility of the idea.
assure
`Everything's going to be okay,' he assured me.
reassure
dispel (someone's) doubts
put (someone's) mind at rest
Opposites
dissuade
,
fail to persuade
3 (verb)
Definition
to provide sufficiently for (a need or desire)
The procedures should satisfy certain basic requirements.
Synonyms
comply with
meet
fulfil
He is too ill to fulfil his duties.
answer
serve
This little book should serve.
fill
observe
Forcing motorists to observe speed restrictions is difficult.
obey
Most people obey the law.
conform to
measure up to
match up to
Opposites
fail to meet
4 (verb)
Definition
to fulfil the requirements of
Synonyms
fulfil
All the necessary conditions were fulfilled.
meet
The current arrangements are inadequate to meet our needs.
answer
We must ensure we answer real needs.
discharge
The goods will be sold in order to discharge the debt.
comply with
5 (verb)
Synonyms
compensate
To ease financial difficulties, farmers could be compensated for their loss of subsidies.
reward
Their generosity will be rewarded.
make good
atone
recompense
If they succeed in court, they will be fully recompensed for their loss.
indemnify
They don't have the money to indemnify everybody.
requite
make reparation for
remunerate (formal)
You will be remunerated for your trouble
6 (verb)
Synonyms
pay (off)
settle
square up
Additional synonyms
in the sense of answer
Definition
to meet the requirements of
We must ensure we answer real needs.
Synonyms
satisfy,
meet,
serve,
fit,
fill,
suit,
solve,
fulfil,
suffice,
measure up to
in the sense of appease
Definition
to pacify (someone) by yielding to his or her demands
The offer has not appeased separatists.
Synonyms
pacify,
satisfy,
calm,
soothe,
quiet,
placate,
mollify,
conciliate
in the sense of assuage
The meat they'd managed to procure assuaged their hunger.
Synonyms
calm,
still,
quiet,
relax,
satisfy,
soften,
soothe,
appease,
lull,
pacify,
mollify,
tranquillize
Synonyms of 'satisfy'
satisfy
Explore 'satisfy' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assure
Definition
to convince
`Everything's going to be okay,' he assured me.
Synonyms
convince,
encourage,
persuade,
satisfy,
comfort,
prove to,
reassure,
soothe,
hearten,
embolden,
win someone over,
bring someone round
in the sense of discharge
Definition
to relieve oneself of (a debt)
The goods will be sold in order to discharge the debt.
Synonyms
pay,
meet,
clear,
settle,
square (up),
honour,
satisfy,
relieve,
liquidate
in the sense of fill
They filled themselves with chocolate cake.
Synonyms
satisfy,
stuff,
gorge,
glut,
satiate,
sate
in the sense of gratify
Definition
to yield to (a desire or whim)
Her work at the Treasury gratified her sense of self-importance.
Synonyms
satisfy,
feed,
fulfil,
indulge,
humour,
cater to,
pander to,
fawn on
in the sense of indemnify
Definition
to compensate for loss or damage
They don't have the money to indemnify everybody.
Synonyms
compensate,
pay,
reimburse,
satisfy,
repair,
repay,
requite,
remunerate (formal)
in the sense of indulge
Definition
to yield to or gratify (a whim or desire for)
My success has let me indulge my love of expensive cars.
Synonyms
gratify,
satisfy,
fulfil,
feed,
give way to,
yield to,
cater to,
pander to,
regale,
gladden,
satiate,
go along with
in the sense of meet
Definition
to cope with effectively
The current arrangements are inadequate to meet our needs.
Synonyms
fulfil,
match (up to),
answer,
perform,
handle,
carry out,
equal,
satisfy,
cope with,
discharge,
comply with,
come up to,
conform to,
gratify,
measure up to
in the sense of obey
Definition
to act in accordance with one's feelings, an impulse, etc.
Most people obey the law.
Synonyms
abide by,
keep,
follow,
comply with,
observe,
mind,
embrace,
hold to,
heed,
conform to,
keep to,
adhere to,
be ruled by
in the sense of observe
Definition
to keep (a law or custom)
Forcing motorists to observe speed restrictions is difficult.
Synonyms
comply with,
keep,
follow,
mind,
respect,
perform,
carry out,
honour,
fulfil,
discharge,
obey,
heed,
conform to,
adhere to,
abide by
in the sense of pacify
Definition
to soothe or calm
Is this just something to pacify the critics?
Synonyms
calm (down),
appease,
placate,
still,
content,
quiet,
moderate,
compose,
soften,
soothe,
allay,
assuage,
make peace with,
mollify,
ameliorate,
conciliate,
propitiate,
tranquillize,
smooth someone's ruffled feathers,
clear the air with,
restore harmony to
Additional synonyms
in the sense of persuade
Definition
to cause to believe
Derek persuaded me of the feasibility of the idea.
Synonyms
convince,
satisfy,
assure,
prove to,
convert to,
cause to believe
in the sense of please
Definition
to give pleasure or satisfaction to (a person)
This comment pleased her immensely.
Synonyms
delight,
entertain,
humour,
amuse,
suit,
content,
satisfy,
charm,
cheer,
indulge,
tickle,
gratify,
gladden,
give pleasure to,
tickle someone pink (informal),
PLS
in the sense of quench
Definition
to satisfy (one's thirst)
He stopped to quench his thirst at a stream.
Synonyms
satisfy,
appease,
allay,
satiate,
slake,
sate
in the sense of recompense
Definition
to compensate or make up for loss or injury
If they succeed in court, they will be fully recompensed for their loss.
Synonyms
compensate,
reimburse,
redress,
repay,
pay for,
satisfy,
make good,
make up for,
make amends for,
indemnify,
requite,
make restitution for
in the sense of remunerate
Definition
to reward or pay for work or service
You will be remunerated for your trouble
Synonyms
pay,
reward,
compensate,
repay,
redress,
reimburse,
recompense,
indemnify,
requite
in the sense of reward
Definition
to give something to (someone) for a service rendered
Their generosity will be rewarded.
Synonyms
compensate,
pay,
honour,
repay,
recompense,
requite,
remunerate (formal),
make it worth your while
in the sense of sate
Definition
to satisfy (a desire or appetite) fully
children happily sated with ice cream
Synonyms
satisfy,
satiate,
slake,
indulge to the full
in the sense of satiate
Definition
to provide with more than enough, so as to disgust or weary
There is enough fruit to satiate several children.