gratification

noun

ˌgra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce gratification (audio)
Definition of gratificationnext
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 Most fans of baseball, delayed gratification and compounding interest know about Bobby Bonilla Day, an annual acknowledgment of the dawn of deferred contracts. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 In the end, delaying gratification by using music as a reward is likely more effective than using it automatically. — Bridget K. Daleiden, The Conversation, 29 June 2026 Apple users tend to be deeply fond of Apple products; iPhones and iMacs have the advantage over most AI technologies of providing immediate gratification. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Can that gratification be found in supporting and maintaining an edifice that has been erected by others? — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gratification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratification
  1. enjoyment
  2. contentment
  3. satisfaction
  4. pleasure
  5. happiness
  6. content
  7. delight
Noun
  • The survey revealed that when parents evaluate family-friendly retail and experiences, fun and enjoyment (68 percent) and spending time together (66 percent) ranked higher than price and affordability (60 percent).
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Audiences will likely get more out of it if they’re caught up on the entire franchise, but that is not required for enjoyment and understanding.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • The poetry of this movie, in short, is in Dafoe, who gives his finest performance in years—a long trek from bliss to despair to disillusionment, and finally to the odd contentment and consolation that disillusionment often brings.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
  • While there’s no direct translation in English, this cornerstone of Danish culture describes a feeling of coziness and contentment.
    — Yerin Kim, InStyle, 27 July 2026
Definition of contentment
Noun
  • Redefining success based on present values can reveal greater satisfaction and prevent unnecessary further career shifts, suggesting the issue often lies in the standard of evaluation, not the job itself.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But between navigating selective palates, food allergies, social media-worthy lunchbox inspiration, food noise, and the inevitable comparisons with classmates, striking a balance between sustenance and satisfaction can quickly become overwhelming.
    — Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfaction
Noun
  • Many people obtain great pleasure from pickleball, tennis, golf and other pursuits that combine physical fitness with socialization.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Prepare for a generous helping of pleasures at the dim sum table.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pleasure
Noun
  • Researchers scanned dogs’ brains while the pooches looked at images of human facial expressions depicting happiness, sadness, anger and fear.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Pregnancy, like family happiness, is meant to look a certain way.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • But that’s not the reality for many content creators, who are working on media production, audience retention strategies, brand partnerships and business relationships associated with their online presence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Top podcaster Alex Cooper’s beverage business is shutting down, demonstrating the challenges online creators often have in diversifying their work away from content.
    — Ashley Carman, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of content
Noun
  • There’s a nice localised touch via a railway footbridge on the approach depicting the highs of Southampton’s football history and the delights of the city centre, particularly Oxford Street, can be enjoyed before strolling on to the match.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • That said, books are still a hugely important part of my life and a delight.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of delight

Browse Nearby Words

grates
gratification
gratified
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratification. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on gratification

Nglish: Translation of gratification for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All