gratification

noun

grat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌgra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: reward, recompense

monetary gratification for a job well done

especially : gratuity

2

: the act of gratifying : the state of being gratified

the gratification of physical appetites

3

: a source of satisfaction or pleasure

found gratification in getting his novel published

Synonyms

• content
• contentedness
• contentment
• delectation
• delight
• enjoyment
• gladness
• happiness
• pleasure
• relish
• satisfaction

Examples of gratification in a Sentence

eating good chocolate gives me a sense of intense gratification

Recent Examples on the Web

This helps children associate rewards with patience and effort rather than expecting instant gratification. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

This approach caters to instant gratification by delivering exactly what listeners expect, a design intended to keep users engaged and prevent them from turning off the app. —Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025

Beyond sensorial gratification, facial steaming's skin-care benefits are actually quite bountiful. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025

The speaker is like the ant from Aesop’s fable, thrifty and responsible, willing to defer gratification until a more suitable time. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see gratify

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gratification

• self-gratification

Rhymes for gratification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration