Synonyms of satisfy

satisfy

verb

ˈsa-təs-ˌfī 

1

as in to alleviate

to put a complete end to (a physical need or desire)

the players satisfied their hunger after the game with a big pasta dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleviate
• slake
• indulge
• satiate
• relieve
• sate
• quench
• assuage
• gratify
• saturate
• cater (to)
• lighten
• humor
• cloy
• surfeit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stimulate
• arouse
• excite
• pique
• tease
• tantalize

2

as in to convince

to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests

it took me a while to satisfy my attorney that I had good grounds for a lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• convince
• persuade
• bring
• induce
• get
• urge
• attract
• prevail (on or upon)
• convert
• gain
• talk (into)
• argue
• win (over)
• move
• bring around
• seduce
• tempt
• entice
• prompt
• coax
• lure
• entreat
• sell
• cajole
• exhort
• wheedle
• lead on
• beguile
• influence
• interest
• sway
• discuss
• allure
• draw
• blandish
• overpersuade
• snow
• converse
• incline
• dispute
• fast-talk
• brainwash
• moot
• blarney
• reason (with)
• debate
• chew over
• hash (over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deter
• discourage
• dissuade
• unsell

3

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of

the contractor had clearly failed to satisfy the terms of the agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fulfill
• keep
• meet
• complete
• fill
• answer
• comply (with)
• make good
• abide by
• redeem
• finalize
• accomplish
• achieve
• perfect
• execute
• conclude
• finish
• make
• carry out
• effect
• consummate
• bring about
• perform
• commit
• bring off
• discharge
• compass
• follow through (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• violate
• break
• breach
• transgress
• forget
• ignore
• disregard
• slight
• pass over
• overlook
• neglect
• default (on)
• overpass

4

as in to please

to give satisfaction to

a hot dinner and a relaxing massage never fails to satisfy her after a long week at work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• please
• delight
• warm
• feast
• gratify
• suit
• amuse
• agree (with)
• appease
• entertain
• tickle
• thrill
• content
• pleasure
• gladden
• glad
• soothe
• rejoice
• placate
• satiate
• excite
• sate
• comfort
• mollify
• pacify
• gas
• quench
• calm
• assuage
• titillate
• captivate
• charm
• galvanize
• treat
• divert
• cater (to)
• indulge
• pamper
• spoil
• humor
• coddle
• mollycoddle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• annoy
• bother
• aggravate
• get
• put out
• displease
• irritate
• cross
• pique
• perturb
• vex
• provoke
• irk
• exasperate
• bug
• anger
• infuriate
• outrage
• inflame
• grate
• chafe
• rile
• enrage
• ruffle
• rouse
• rankle
• disturb
• gall
• distress
• roil
• upset
• agitate
• incense
• harass
• madden
• steam up
• offend
• fret
• pester
• nettle
• harry
• insult
• peeve
• affront

5

as in to compensate

to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury

the owners of the restaurant were generously satisfied for any business lost during the filming

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compensate
• reimburse
• indemnify
• pay
• repay
• recoup
• remunerate
• requite
• recompense
• refund
• redress
• remedy
• repair
• discharge
• quit

Synonym Chooser

How is the word satisfy distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of satisfy are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, and repay. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

When would compensate be a good substitute for satisfy?

The words compensate and satisfy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When could indemnify be used to replace satisfy?

The synonyms indemnify and satisfy are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When is it sensible to use pay instead of satisfy?

Although the words pay and satisfy have much in common, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

Where would recompense be a reasonable alternative to satisfy?

While in some cases nearly identical to satisfy, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When is reimburse a more appropriate choice than satisfy?

While the synonyms reimburse and satisfy are close in meaning, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When can remunerate be used instead of satisfy?

The words remunerate and satisfy can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When might repay be a better fit than satisfy?

The meanings of repay and satisfy largely overlap; however, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of satisfy

The Interior Department has promised to submit options for many of the issues brought up, including a final lighting plan to satisfy the FAA and concerns about the height of construction cranes, which would be taller than the arch itself. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026

Kuwait is known to be overwhelmingly dependent on desalination for drinking water, with almost 90% of the arid nation’s water demand satisfied through seawater desalination plants. — Michael Wayland,azhar Sukri,terri Cullen, CNBC, 18 July 2026

Kishner recommends keeping canned tuna on hand for quick meals, while Lorenz suggests mixing it with Greek yogurt or avocado instead of mayonnaise for a fast, satisfying lunch. — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026

Understanding the role of climate change in these events can be useful for more than satisfying public curiosity. — ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026