GRATIFICATION Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

gratification

noun

ˌgra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən

Definition of gratification

as in enjoyment

the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met eating good chocolate gives me a sense of intense gratification

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gratification Trump’s preference for immediate gratification explains many of his decisions, including defunding scientific and medical research, accelerating fossil-fuel emissions, and denigrating American soft power globally. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 The film leaves a viewer with authentic consolations and gratifications in the rearview mirror that seemed harder to discern while moving ahead into the unknown with the sun in one’s eyes. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2026 Everyone is a performer, everyone is chasing fame and attention and gratification for their output maybe more than ever. — Brendan Menapace, SPIN, 17 Aug. 2026 Yes, gratification cannot and should not be instant in every scenario. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gratification

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratification

Noun

Complicating matters, one person’s cringe is another’s enjoyment.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Separate research from Prudential Financial recently found that more than six in 10 retirees with at least $500,000 in investable assets do not feel comfortable spending money for enjoyment.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Noun

The series will explore what constitutes happiness in different cultures and show the travelers — and viewers — different approaches to contentment.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Yet as related here in the low-key delivery of someone who not just survived but lived to be 101 years old, Jaku was able to enjoy the love, peace, contentment and security he was denied in his youth.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of contentment

Noun

Zest contributes to life satisfaction among children, adolescents, and adults.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Are there different kinds of nursing homes that could be much more effective and efficient and also provide more satisfaction for people who are growing older?

— John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfaction

Noun

These novels are puzzles at their core, and using logic to solve the mystery before it’s revealed in the book is, to me, the main pleasure in reading them.

— New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Stanton’s confession ends up being incomprehensible to anyone but himself—an irony that McCarthy, with his partiality for secret codes, seems to take great pleasure in.

— Max Callimanopulos, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasure

Noun

And a high degree of social fitness contributes to a longer, healthier and more fulfilled life, according to an ongoing 88-year-old Harvard University happiness study.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
And the key to finding the joy and happiness balance is no more than 10 days away from my wife and kids.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of happiness

Noun

First was comic and content creator, George Brett Olson, who did a breakdown (watch it below) accusing an AI Instagram account with 300,000 followers of seemingly ripped off his joke word for word.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
SparkHub connects creator content to tracked sales inside its ShopBack app.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of content

Noun

Leaving aside the comics, tie-books, video games, and other ancillary delights of exploiting successful IP, there’s the Netflix show, of course.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Once a farrier's shop, Bygones Cocktail Bar, centered on a horseshoe bar, has romantic lighting, cocktails executed with joy and delight, and a laissez-faire atmosphere.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

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grates

gratification

gratified

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“Gratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratification. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gratification

noun

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