gratify

verb

grat·i·fy | \ ˈgra-tə-ˌfī

gratified; gratifying

Definition of gratify

transitive verb

1 archaic : remunerate, reward

2 : to be a source of or give pleasure or satisfaction to it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels —Willa Cather

3 : to give in to : indulge, satisfy gratify a whim

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Examples of gratify in a Sentence

A guilty verdict would gratify the victim's relatives. He's only concerned with gratifying his own desires.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Memorial Day nears, she is gratified that Jess Thomas and six other south Lake County veterans killed in action are being honored on 30- by 80-inch banners that have been hung along eastbound State Road 50 in Groveland, 30 miles west of Orlando. — Lisa Maria Garza, OrlandoSentinel.com, "South Lake County veterans 'who gave all' honored with Memorial Day banners," 24 May 2018 There are conflicting accounts as to what was said and done next, but there was little doubt that the brawny Murdoch had gratified the guard’s wish and left him with a black eye. — Huw Richards, New York Times, "Keith Murdoch, Rugby Bruiser Who Vanished in the Outback, Is Dead at 74," 10 Apr. 2018 Watching the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale over the last three months hasn’t been an experience anyone would describe as cathartic, or gratifying, or even intermittently escapist. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "A Maddening Season Finale for The Handmaid’s Tale," 11 July 2018 Arizona's Sean Miller describes the 'gratifying' experience seeing Deandre Ayton drafted No. — Alex Schiffer, kansascity, "Missouri State's Alize Johnson drafted in second round by Indiana Pacers," 21 June 2018 Even to compete there with those folks was gratifying. — Leeanne Griffin, courant.com, "Mystic Sift Bake Shop's Adam Young Wins Food Network's 'Best Baker In America'," 19 June 2018 Making rage eyes at the camera and stalking off into the night like a grim-faced Psycho-Pirate might gratify the yen the show has always had to present June as a superhero. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "A Maddening Season Finale for The Handmaid’s Tale," 11 July 2018 There is no question of building vast palaces, of vanquishing or deceiving nature, or of depleting the universe to better gratify the passions of one man. — Linda Rodriguez Mcrobbie, BostonGlobe.com, "Don’t get too comfortable: America’s relentless pursuit of convenience and relaxation," 19 May 2018 Similarly gratifying music was played under the auspices of Middle of the Map on stages throughout the Crossroads District. — Bill Brownlee, kansascity, "Middle of the Map opening night: a few setbacks, a sultry show from Spoon," 30 June 2018

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