gratify
verb
grat·i·fy
ˈgra-tə-ˌfī 
gratified; gratifying
1
: to be a source of or give pleasure or satisfaction to
it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels—
Willa Cather
Willa Cather3
archaic
: remunerate, reward
Did you know?
A gratifying experience is quietly pleasing or satisfying. But gratifying an impulse means giving in to it, which isn't always such a good idea, and "instant gratification" of every desire will result in a life based on junk food and worse. Truly gratifying experiences and accomplishments usually are the result of time and effort.
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
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
—Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025
The gratifying news is that, almost a century later, Tables for Two is still running, now with Helen Rosner in the Lois Long seat.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Vance, an adult convert to Roman Catholicism, said he was gratified to have the chance to become the last world leader to meet with Francis in his final hours.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
So we’re really gratified with how well this has been received so far.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratify
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Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025
The gratifying news is that, almost a century later, Tables for Two is still running, now with Helen Rosner in the Lois Long seat.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Vance, an adult convert to Roman Catholicism, said he was gratified to have the chance to become the last world leader to meet with Francis in his final hours.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
So we’re really gratified with how well this has been received so far.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratify
Cite this Entry
“Gratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratify. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gratify
verb
grat·i·fy
ˈgrat-ə-ˌfī
gratified; gratifying
1
: to give or be a source of pleasure or satisfaction to
2
: to grant a favor to : indulge
gratification
noun
ˌgrat-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən
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