satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-shən 

1

a

: the payment through penance of the temporal punishment incurred by a sin

b

: reparation for sin that meets the demands of divine justice

2

a

: fulfillment of a need or want

b

: the quality or state of being satisfied : contentment

c

: a source or means of enjoyment : gratification

3

a

: compensation for a loss or injury : atonement, restitution

b

: the discharge of a legal obligation or claim

c

: vindication

4

: convinced assurance or certainty

proved to the satisfaction of the court

Synonyms of satisfaction

• contentment
• enjoyment
• pleasure
• happiness
• content
• delight
• joy

Examples of satisfaction in a Sentence

He gets great satisfaction from volunteering.

the satisfaction of a job well done

There is some satisfaction in knowing I was right.

She finds a certain satisfaction in helping others.

the satisfaction of his deep craving for love

I complained to the manager about the poor service but did not get any satisfaction.

Recent Examples on the Web

The broth is rich and tomato-forward, balanced by garlic, basil, and a gentle kick of red pepper, while the rigatoni gives it that pasta-night satisfaction. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

Curiosity might have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back! —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026

Don’t give them the satisfaction. —Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Niccol's Green Apron reinvention plan — centered on simplifying store operations, reducing wait times, and getting drinks to customers faster — must begin to show measurable improvements in throughput and customer satisfaction. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin satisfaction-, satisfactio, from Latin, reparation, amends, from satisfacere to satisfy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing satisfaction

• self-satisfaction
• to someone's satisfaction
• to the satisfaction of (someone)

Rhymes for satisfaction

• benefaction
• counteraction
• interaction
• liquefaction
• putrefaction
• rarefaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction

Kids Definition

satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion ˌsat-əs-ˈfak-shən 

1

a

: the quality or state of being satisfied

b

: a cause of satisfaction

2

: something that makes up for a loss or injury

3

: assurance sense 2

Legal Definition

satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion

1

a

: the act or fact of satisfying

b

: execution of an accord by performance of the substituted obligation

—often used in the phrase accord and satisfaction compare accord sense 3, transaction sense 3

c

: a document indicating that an obligation has been satisfied

a satisfaction of mortgage

2

: the quality or state of being satisfied