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Satisfaction

n. joyful, capable warm

What it means

Meaning 1

A calm feeling of pleasure because a need, effort, or expectation has been fulfilled.

Reach for it when naming contentment grounded in a specific result

She felt satisfaction when the repaired pump ran through the night.

Meaning 2

The act of meeting a requirement, condition, claim, or obligation.

Reach for it when describing objective fulfillment rather than emotion

Payment was released after satisfaction of the safety conditions.

Words to choose between 9

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
warm
professional
formal

Meaning 1: A calm feeling of pleasure because a need, effort, or expectation has been fulfilled.

  • everyday

    pleasure

    Fits when immediate enjoyment is enough

    Careful Pleasure can be sensory and unrelated to completion.

  • warm

    contentment

    Fits when a settled, sufficient sense of well-being is central

    Careful Contentment can exist without a particular achievement.

  • warm

    fulfillment

    Fits when purpose or a deep need has been realized

    Careful Fulfillment is broader and often more lasting.

  • warm

    pride

    Fits when achievement and self-respect are central

    Careful Pride adds self-evaluation absent from satisfaction.

  • formal

    gratification

    Fits when a desire is pleased or reward is immediate

    Careful Gratification can imply indulgence or short-term reward.

Meaning 2: The act of meeting a requirement, condition, claim, or obligation.

  • professional

    compliance

    Fits when rules or standards are met

    Careful Compliance is narrower and says nothing about other obligations.

  • professional

    fulfillment

    Fits when a requirement is met exactly

    Careful Fulfillment may describe ongoing performance rather than formal satisfaction.

  • formal

    discharge

    Fits when a debt or duty is completed

    Careful Discharge is legal and can sound impersonal.

  • formal

    settlement

    Fits when a claim or obligation is resolved

    Careful Settlement can compromise rather than fully satisfy it.

Opposites 4

  • dissatisfaction
  • disappointment
  • breach
  • noncompliance

Common phrases 4

  • deep satisfaction

    The mentors took deep satisfaction in seeing apprentices teach others.

  • job satisfaction

    Greater control over schedules improved job satisfaction.

  • satisfaction of conditions

    Satisfaction of conditions must be documented before opening.

  • customer satisfaction

    Customer satisfaction rose after repair times became visible.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated