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

• 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

Reading a book—an activity that doesn’t offer the same instant gratification as, say, a TikTok video—may feel slow and grueling by comparison. —Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 23 Aug. 2025

Daniels’ career is a testament to playing the long game, something that gets increasingly harder to do in this era of instant gratification and online rankings. —Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

For more instant gratification, grab a muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon or the end of a rolling pin). —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025

Over time, technology addiction rewires the brain to expect instant gratification, depleting the brain’s cognitive patience and threshold for tolerating frustration in the process. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025

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