satisfy

verb

sat·is·fy | \ ˈsa-təs-ˌfī

satisfied; satisfying

Definition of satisfy

transitive verb

1a : to carry out the terms of (something, such as a contract) : discharge

b : to meet a financial obligation to

2 : to make reparation to (an injured party) : indemnify

3a : to make happy : please

b : to gratify to the full : appease

4a : convince

b : to put an end to (doubt or uncertainty) : dispel

5a : to conform to (specifications) : be adequate to (an end in view)

b : to make true by fulfilling a condition values that satisfy an equation satisfy a hypothesis

intransitive verb

: to be adequate : suffice also : please

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about satisfy

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for satisfy

pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something. pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred. paid their bills compensate implies a making up for services rendered. an attorney well compensated for her services remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for. promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law. all creditors will be satisfied in full reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit. reimbursed employees for expenses indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare. indemnified the families of the dead miners repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount. repay a favor with a favor recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward. passengers were recompensed for the delay

Examples of satisfy in a Sentence

Nothing satisfies her so much as doing a good job. The movie's ending failed to satisfy audiences. His curiosity was satisfied by their explanation. They have satisfied themselves that the story is only a rumor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether the latter subject will come up again remains to be seen, but for now its handling is less than satisfying. — Greg Braxton, latimes.com, "‘Big Little Lies’ is less white this season. That doesn't mean it’s smart about race," 16 June 2019 Veblen argued that consumption is not merely about satisfying needs, but is also used to signal status and prestige. — The Economist, "Advertising may make people miserable, but it still has its uses," 6 June 2019 But was the granny panty’s return about satisfying a nostalgic urge women had to relax in the underwear their grandmothers might have worn? — Shira Feder, Vox, "The rise of granny panties," 5 June 2019 Some shows provide closure to key plotlines or resolve characters’ dilemmas in satisfying ways, but others can wind up leaving viewers unsettled. — Taylor Umlauf And Dylan Moriarty, WSJ, "‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8: A Song of Ice and Fire and Disappointment," 18 May 2019 This one is minimal but comes with satisfying curves and a bunch of color options. — Jenny Xie, Curbed, "Best kitchen accessories under $150 to shop now," 20 Aug. 2018 Here are some vegetarian fast-food options that'll satisfy non-meat eaters. — Sophia Caraballo, Woman's Day, "10 Fast-Food Options for Vegetarians," 17 Apr. 2019 There are plenty of restaurants open on Easter that will satisfy all your cuisine cravings. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Is Walmart Open on Easter? Here Are the Superstore's Holiday Hours," 11 Mar. 2019 This sleek gaming laptop features a 15-inch 1080p G-Sync TN panel that cranks it all the way up to 240Hz, a ludicrously fast refresh rate that should satisfy even the most diehard twitch shooter enthusiasts. — Ian Paul, PCWorld, "HP's revamped Omen 15 laptop packs GeForce RTX graphics and a ludicrously fast 240Hz display," 8 Jan. 2019

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about satisfy

Dictionary Entries near satisfy

satisfy someone's every whim

Statistics for satisfy

Last Updated

20 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for satisfy

The first known use of satisfy was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for satisfy

satisfy

verb

English Language Learners Definition of satisfy

: to cause (someone) to be happy or pleased

: to provide, do, or have what is required by (someone or something)

formal : to cause (someone) to believe that something is true

See the full definition for satisfy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

satisfy

verb

sat·is·fy | \ ˈsa-təs-ˌfī

satisfied; satisfying

Kids Definition of satisfy

1 : to make happy or contented Everyone was satisfied with the compromise.

2 : to meet the needs of The meal satisfied our hunger.

3 : convince We are satisfied the story is true.

4 : to do what has been agreed upon The contract has been satisfied.

satisfy

transitive verb

sat·is·fy

satisfied; satisfying

Legal Definition of satisfy

1a : to carry out the terms or obligation of (as by payment of money) refused to satisfy the judgment against her satisfy a condition precedent broadly : to cause to be discharged, settled, or paid sought to satisfy his claim against the debtor

b : to meet an obligation to satisfy a creditor

2 : to convince by argument or evidence

3 : to conform to satisfy requirements