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

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

That growth has been driven in large part by Gen Z, which has turned to retro tech across genres including music, movies, toys and traditional film as younger people reject instant digital gratification. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Kids are used to instant gratification from their devices and have shorter attention spans, Koeller added. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2025

And, well, gratification came in what felt like an instant. —Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 8 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