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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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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

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

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 satisfy The social media post didn't specify which trim was added to the Tennessee Highway Patrol's fleet, but every Mustang can produce enough giddyup to satisfy the needs of troopers. Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025 While honey and refined sugar may satisfy a sweet tooth, honey offers more nutrients and potential health benefits, despite being higher in calories per serving. Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2025 In search of a fall wedding guest dress that will satisfy more formal dress codes? Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Will that satisfy André Aciman? Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for satisfy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for satisfy
Verb
  • Other times, to better manage or alleviate dysfunction, doctors may add another medication to a patient’s current routine.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
  • For a while, this was alleviated by trying to help police with their investigations, corresponding with her father, and working with organizations meant to help victims of violent and high profile crimes.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His expression suddenly changed, as if he’d been caught off guard and had been expecting to have to work hard to convince me to write about the case.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Hamilton, convinced that salvaging his fiscal reputation required him to air his personal failings, published a lengthy tract, baring all.
    Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For the previous two games in this National League Division Series, the Dodgers had fulfilled the task that kept their coaches and staff up late at night.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Yeah, but again, so fulfilling creatively.
    Vogue, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s so much to love about this crowd-pleasing appetizer—here are a few ways to dial up the flavor, save time, and enjoy this dip in new ways.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
  • But Moyes will be pleased by the impact made by his substitutes against Palace, Alcaraz chief among them.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Are the rights holders of the shows now being carried on additional platforms being compensated?
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Ultimately, local authorities will report the discovery to the National Heritage Board, which will decide if the state should compensate the finder.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But in the meantime, the K-pop superstar boy band’s diehards can slake their thirst by watching member V smoke the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game on Monday (Aug. 25).
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Moreover, there is no reason to assume that such concessions would slake Chinese and Russian ambitions: consider, for example, what Beijing’s massive investments in Latin America and attempts to corrupt the Canadian political system suggest about Chinese intentions.
    KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Vulnerable, the hefty game bonus would persuade me to issue an invitation.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Witkoff, who has labored on Middle East diplomacy since January alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, persuaded Kushner to lend a hand.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Spears has been sharing dancing videos on her Instagram account that have delighted some fans and worried others for at least five years.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
  • As if what delights and obsesses us must have a purpose.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Satisfy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/satisfy. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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