as in enjoyment
the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met
eating good chocolate gives me a sense of intense gratification
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
Nowadays in college sports, instant gratification is the expectation.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
My brain, dependent on the instant gratification of likes and replies, reliant on the numbing comfort of scrolling and clicking, and terrified of the prospect of being alone with its own thoughts, was plenty full of poison without another social-media platform being added to the mix.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
The artist, whose real name is Jason DeFord, was hoping for a pardon not just for a sense of personal gratification but to boost the whole Jelly Roll business.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2025
But the scene shows just how focused Savannah was on pushing aside any sort of revenge vote gratification on Sage for taking out her ally Nate Moore, and instead focusing on Steven, the bigger threat.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratification
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
My brain, dependent on the instant gratification of likes and replies, reliant on the numbing comfort of scrolling and clicking, and terrified of the prospect of being alone with its own thoughts, was plenty full of poison without another social-media platform being added to the mix.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
The artist, whose real name is Jason DeFord, was hoping for a pardon not just for a sense of personal gratification but to boost the whole Jelly Roll business.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2025
But the scene shows just how focused Savannah was on pushing aside any sort of revenge vote gratification on Sage for taking out her ally Nate Moore, and instead focusing on Steven, the bigger threat.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratification
Noun
-
The lot of the property covers a substantial area of 6,000 square feet, complete with a pool for outdoor enjoyment.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
For users who want keyboards that support focus, comfort, and enjoyment, the brand has established itself as a keyboard designer worth paying attention to.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Psychologically, blue is associated with tranquility and contentment, but its variety of shades bring different feelings to the table.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Expressing our aspiration for a future free from excess, Cloud Dancer evolves our desire for contentment and feelings of peace, unity, and cohesiveness.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Both provide me satisfaction in my retirement.—
Point Loma-Ob Monthly,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Protein powders always felt overhyped — a product category with more marketing than satisfaction.—
Samantha Leal,
Refinery29,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In Sonnenfeld’s telling, the president’s recent moves substitute executive discretion for market outcomes, leaving managers and shareholders operating not within a free market, but at the pleasure of the White House.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Would Cora grow more open to life’s imperfect joys, its corny pleasures?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the United States’ economic competitiveness—not to mention the happiness of its citizenry—ranks below many countries that work much fewer hours, including Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands, and Norway.—
Joe O’Connor,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Studies have shown that WhatsApp users are more likely to express both happiness and sadness on the platform than on other, more public-facing apps, like X or Instagram.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Drink probiotic sodas with high contents of fiber.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Persun says her community didn't push back against her shift into new content spaces, and in turn, her audience expanded.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In 2022, Stonestreet trolled Ferguson by reposting an edited version of a throwback photo Ferguson had shared earlier that day, to the delight of Modern Family fans.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Cove is much larger, with a more formal service style, but the exactitude is still there, the sense of stylishness, the obsession and the delight.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratification. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
