gratifying

adjective

grat·​i·​fy·​ing ˈgra-tə-ˌfī-iŋ 

: giving pleasure or satisfaction : pleasing

a gratifying result

gratifyingly

ˈgra-tə-ˌfī-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of gratifying

• enjoyable
• pleasant
• pleasing
• delightful
• satisfying
• delicious
• nice
• sweet
• good
• welcome

Examples of gratifying in a Sentence

It was a gratifying victory.

The response has been gratifying.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nothing is more gratifying, in sports as elsewhere, than the sight of overdogs with their tails between their legs. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

That brittleness, though, is exactly what has made Criston’s turn toward nihilism at the end of the second season, and now crystallized in episode five, so gratifying. — The Editors, Vulture, 17 July 2026

After six years spent with this slowly forming family, emphasizing the luck and effort and energy required to get here, there’s no reason to manufacture extra drama now; not when the little moments mean so much and savoring them feels so gratifying. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Mora said that the excitement surrounding the fruit has been the most gratifying part. — Gary Kazanjian, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gratifying

• applying
• belying
• complying
• decrying
• defying
• denying
• implying
• outlying
• relying
• replying
• supplying
• undying