satiate

1 of 2

adjective

sa·​tiate ˈsā-sh(ē-)ət 

: filled to satiety

satiate

2 of 2

verb

sa·​ti·​ate ˈsā-shē-ˌāt 

satiated; satiating

transitive verb

: to satisfy (a need, a desire, etc.) fully or to excess

satiation

ˌsā-shē-ˈā-shən 

ˌsā-sē-

noun

Did you know?

The time has come at last to share the “sad” history of satiate, by which we mean that the two words—sad and satiate—are etymologically connected, not that the details will have you reaching for the tissue box. Both satiate and sad are related to the Latin adjective satis, meaning “enough.” When we say our desire, thirst, curiosity, etc. has been satiated, we mean it has been fully satisfied (satisfy being another satis descendant)—in other words, we’ve had enough. Satiate and sate (believed to be an alteration and shortening of satiate) sometimes imply simple contentment, but often suggest that having enough has dulled interest or desire for more, as in “Years of globe-trotting satiated their interest in travel.” Sad, which in its earliest use could describe someone who was weary or tired of something, traces back to the Old English adjective sæd, meaning “sated,” and sæd shares an ancient root with Latin satis.

Synonyms

Adjective

• full
• replete
• sated
• satiated
• stuffed
• surfeited

Verb

• assuage
• quench
• sate
• satisfy
• slake

Choose the Right Synonym for satiate

satiate, sate, surfeit, cloy, pall, glut, gorge mean to fill to repletion.

satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire.

years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel

readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

surfeit implies a nauseating repletion.

surfeited themselves with junk food

cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting.

sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite.

a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

glut implies excess in feeding or supplying.

a market glutted with diet books

gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking.

gorged themselves with chocolate

Examples of satiate in a Sentence

Adjective

a couple of satiate dinner guests had ensconced themselves on the living room sofa

Verb

a long drink of water at last satiated my thirst

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the evening, cocktails and a light supper will satiate hunger pangs. —Allison Tibaldi, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

And secret societies, as groups of individuals with similar interests, may satiate that need, making members a part of something bigger than themselves. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024

Grab a hot or cold espresso beverage made-to-order by baristas, indulge with weekend brunches, sip on classic cocktails and get satiated with American comfort food for lunch or dinner. —Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 11 June 2024

If physically traveling is not in your plans, foreign films and art will satiate that bug, and could serve as an important muse. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin satiatus, past participle of satiare, from satis enough — more at sad

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

satiate

1 of 2 adjective

sa·​tiate ˈsā-sh(ē-)ət 

: filled to excess

satiate

2 of 2 verb

sa·​ti·​ate ˈsā-shē-ˌāt 

satiated; satiating

: to satisfy (as a need or desire) fully or to excess

satiation

ˌsā-shē-ˈā-shən 

-sē-

noun