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

Appealing to instant gratification? —New York Times, 1 June 2026

The team's 11 straight playoff wins follow years of deliberate, shrewd team-building that strayed from the high-risk, instant gratification personnel moves that marked much of the Dolan era. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 28 May 2026

To capture that momentum, VenHub is targeting very specific high-traffic battlegrounds, pushing hard into transit hubs, college campuses, corporate complexes and EV charging stations where consumers expect instant gratification. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

Trust the long game; consistent effort, even without immediate gratification, leads to significant career-long rewards, making publishing the foundation for infinite ROI. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 May 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