gratification

noun

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

Definition of gratification

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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gratification

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Examples of gratification in a Sentence

eating good chocolate gives me a sense of intense gratification

Recent Examples on the Web

Then if one of them is able to delay gratification, and the other one isn’t, does that matter? — Julia Belluz, Vox, "7 bad science and health ideas that should die with 2018," 26 Dec. 2018 The psychologist who famously demonstrated the importance of being able to delay gratification to achieving later success in life died on September 12 in New York City. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "R.I.P. Walter Mischel, father of the infamous Marshmallow Test," 14 Sep. 2018 Efforts have been made to link a child’s ability to resist immediate gratification with all kinds of benefits later in life — higher SAT scores, lower divorce rates, and more — but such linkages often fail to stand up to scrutiny. — Ian Haydon, Philly.com, "Despite what parents might think, kids have gotten better at self-control," 27 June 2018 Massive, tax deductible gifts from wealthy donors to affluent schools have faced criticism for being inefficient exercises in ego gratification. — Douglas Belkin, WSJ, "Michael Bloomberg to Give Johns Hopkins Record $1.8 Billion," 18 Nov. 2018 MeToo is the result of our cultural centering of cis-male pleasure and desire, which seeks gratification through the use of feminine bodies. — Josephine Yurcaba, Teen Vogue, "Sexual Assault Survivors Talk About Sex After Rape," 2 Aug. 2018 The millennial generation is also the generation of instant gratification. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Are Marriage and Babies the New Naked Selfie?," 27 July 2018 But in this era of instant gratification, who wants to wait until 2021? — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, "NFL draft grades 2018: Which teams had best, worst classes?," 28 Apr. 2018 Though there is some instant gratification the day after, two to six treatments spaced a week or two apart are recommended, at $200 to $400 a pop, to get full clearing, and maintenance rounds are needed every three to six months. — Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, "How To Get Gorgeous Skin at Every Age," 5 Oct. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gratification.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.