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 Specialized work rarely offers instant gratification, and the people who succeed are usually those who can remain focused through the frustrating early stages of learning. — Matthew Darienzo, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for gratification

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratification

Noun

In a Harris Poll survey published Wednesday, 65% of American adults reported spending $100 or more on playful activities or products — such as craft kits or action figures — for personal enjoyment between June 2025 and June 2026.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
My enjoyment now came from sitting back and watching her shine.

— Diana Daniele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Noun

Spates of them appear every couple of years, often inspired by surveys of financial contentment like Goldman’s.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of contentment

Noun

As much an acknowledgment of survival as a rallying cry, the song draws out sadness as well as satisfaction from the audience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Correspondence files can be mined for service failures—moments where the company’s response didn’t match the member’s need—that predict attrition much more accurately than any customer satisfaction survey.

— Amanda Turcotte, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfaction

Noun

That instinct to preserve some special purchases in spite of pressure from higher prices reflects a kind of little treat economy, when consumers splurge on smaller pleasures even if they’re squeezed by costs.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
The afternoons are great for small pleasures but not at all suitable for a potentially deciding championship game in a billion-dollar sports league.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasure

Noun

But the stand-alone fragment, in the seeming spirit of Franz Kafka’s surreal and unsettling fiction, links success to misery, and happiness to death.

— Robert S. Levine, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Buffett’s view is supported by research that shows that people with supportive spouses tend to take on more rewarding challenges throughout their lives, and end up having more personal growth and happiness.

— Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of happiness

Noun

Meanwhile, On and Dior have also reportedly removed Chinese promotional content featuring Mbappé, although neither had announced a global termination, according to Chinese news outlet Phoenix.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Wilson will lead the company’s podcast content acquisitions on a contract basis.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of content

Noun

Wesley Fofana missed what proved to be the final kick of the shootout, smashing it well over the crossbar and into The Kop at Anfield as Liverpool fans roared in delight.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Dimensional, smooth, and an absolute delight to look at, calf hair also brings with it the benefit of longevity, meaning the Coach handbags above are guaranteed to stay in tip-top shape for years (if not decades) on end.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Browse Nearby Words

grates

gratification

gratified

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“Gratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratification. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gratification

noun

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