gratification

noun

grat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌgra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: reward, recompense

monetary gratification for a job well done

especially : gratuity

2

: the act of gratifying : the state of being gratified

the gratification of physical appetites

3

: a source of satisfaction or pleasure

found gratification in getting his novel published

Synonyms of gratification

• enjoyment
• contentment
• satisfaction
• pleasure
• happiness
• content
• delight

Examples of gratification in a Sentence

eating good chocolate gives me a sense of intense gratification

Recent Examples on the Web

Rohmer’s great literary achievement is twofold—artistic success and worldly failure—which gave rise to his cinema of substitute gratifications, second chances, and miraculous redemptions. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

In today’s world of instant gratification and online spending, helping children understand how to create and stick to a budget is more important than ever. — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 7 July 2026

Most fans of baseball, delayed gratification and compounding interest know about Bobby Bonilla Day, an annual acknowledgment of the dawn of deferred contracts. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

In the end, delaying gratification by using music as a reward is likely more effective than using it automatically. — Bridget K. Daleiden, The Conversation, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see gratify

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gratification

• self-gratification

Rhymes for gratification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration