Meaning 1
To meet a need, desire, expectation, or curiosity.
Reach for it when describing fulfillment without inflating it into delight
The clear explanation satisfied the students' curiosity.
Meaning 2
To meet a requirement, standard, condition, or burden of proof.
Reach for it when describing objective compliance supported by evidence
The revised railing satisfies the current safety standard.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm |
| |
| professional |
| |
| formal | ||
| literary |
everyday
answer
Fits when a question or curiosity is resolved
Careful An answer can be correct without satisfying the listener.
everyday
Fits when creating positive feeling is the main effect
Careful Pleasure can occur without meeting the actual need.
warm
Fits when meeting a need or aspiration completely is central
Careful Fulfill is stronger and often more enduring.
formal
Fits when giving desired pleasure is intended
Careful Gratify can suggest indulgence.
literary
Fits when making someone calmly satisfied suits the prose
Careful Content as a verb sounds formal and may imply settling.
everyday
pass
Fits when a test or threshold is cleared
Careful Passing may occur at the minimum and does not satisfy broader goals.
professional
comply with
Fits when conformity to a rule is precise
Careful Compliance is narrower than satisfying evidence or design criteria.
professional
Fits when every stated condition is completed
Careful Fulfill can describe duty without independent verification.
professional
meet
Fits when a requirement or standard is attained
Careful Meeting a threshold need not fulfill the wider purpose.
formal
discharge
Fits when a legal duty or burden is completed
Careful Discharge is too technical for ordinary requirements.
satisfy a need
The mobile clinic can satisfy a need the central hospital cannot reach.
satisfy curiosity
The open archive should satisfy curiosity without exposing private records.
satisfy the criteria
Every application must satisfy the criteria published in advance.
satisfy a requirement
The handrail must satisfy a requirement for continuous grip.
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
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