gratify
verb
grat·i·fy ˈgra-tə-ˌfī 
gratified; gratifying
transitive verb
1
: to be a source of or give pleasure or satisfaction to
it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels
Willa Cather
Willa Cather2
: to give in to : indulge, satisfy
gratify a whim
3
archaic : remunerate, reward
Did you know?
A gratifying experience is quietly pleasing or satisfying. But gratifying an impulse means giving in to it, which isn't always such a good idea, and "instant gratification" of every desire will result in a life based on junk food and worse. Truly gratifying experiences and accomplishments usually are the result of time and effort.
Synonyms
- cater (to)
- humor
- indulge
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
A guilty verdict would gratify the victim's relatives. He's only concerned with gratifying his own desires.
Recent Examples on the Web The new brain technologies can regulate behavior and thought in ways that, bioethicist Sara Goering notes, would gratify advertisers. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022 But it’s the houses that surprise visitors and gratify us, even if they can only be glimpsed from a street or a sidewalk. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 The student will probably lie and say that the boy-in-mind had finally broken his statue pose, maybe shown some emotion like fear, the better to gratify Shara. Han Ong, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 Brooks didn’t know how to gratify his master, and therefore was killed. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 22 Apr. 2022 Benedetta and Bartolomea awaken and gratify each other’s desires, at times making strategic use of a sacred figurine that has been retooled to heighten their pleasure and, of course, to offend those with more parochial sensibilities in the audience. Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2021 Jennifer’s literal survival depends (for supernatural reasons) on her ability to gratify her vampiric, cannibalistic hungers, and thus to pursue her revenge plot unimpeded. Richard Brod, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2021 Protecting the liberty of the people ranks lower than the legislators’ desire to gratify their own vain ambitions by doling out privileges and cash. Lance Christensen, National Review, 14 May 2021 Each camp of Democrats thus has a responsibility to learn from, if not gratify, the other. Michael Kazin, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2021 See More
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022 But it’s the houses that surprise visitors and gratify us, even if they can only be glimpsed from a street or a sidewalk. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 The student will probably lie and say that the boy-in-mind had finally broken his statue pose, maybe shown some emotion like fear, the better to gratify Shara. Han Ong, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 Brooks didn’t know how to gratify his master, and therefore was killed. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 22 Apr. 2022 Benedetta and Bartolomea awaken and gratify each other’s desires, at times making strategic use of a sacred figurine that has been retooled to heighten their pleasure and, of course, to offend those with more parochial sensibilities in the audience. Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2021 Jennifer’s literal survival depends (for supernatural reasons) on her ability to gratify her vampiric, cannibalistic hungers, and thus to pursue her revenge plot unimpeded. Richard Brod, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2021 Protecting the liberty of the people ranks lower than the legislators’ desire to gratify their own vain ambitions by doling out privileges and cash. Lance Christensen, National Review, 14 May 2021 Each camp of Democrats thus has a responsibility to learn from, if not gratify, the other. Michael Kazin, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French gratifier, from Latin gratificari to show kindness to, from gratus + -ificari, passive of -ificare -ify
First Known Use
1539, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
gratify
verb
grat·i·fy ˈgra-tə-ˌfī
gratified; gratifying
1
: to give pleasure or satisfaction to
The loud applause gratified her.
2
: to do or give whatever is wanted by He only wants to gratify his wishes.
gratify
verb
1
as in to indulge
to give in to (a desire) just gratify this one whim of mine Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- indulge
- please
- satisfy
- humor
- delight
- spoil
- pleasure
- satiate
- revel
- pamper
- cater (to)
- luxuriate
- bask
- sate
- coddle
- mollycoddle
- wallow
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- restrain
- constrain
- curb
- inhibit
- check
- stifle
- bridle
2
as in to satisfy
to give satisfaction to your presence at the holiday table would really gratify your grandmother Synonyms & Similar Words
- satisfy
- delight
- please
- warm
- pleasure
- amuse
- feast
- thrill
- gladden
- entertain
- appease
- suit
- content
- tickle
- rejoice
- glad
- satiate
- soothe
- excite
- placate
- sate
- mollify
- titillate
- pacify
- gas
- quench
- comfort
- agree (with)
- captivate
- assuage
- calm
- galvanize
- indulge
- pamper
- divert
- charm
- treat
- coddle
- humor
- spoil
- mollycoddle
- cater (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- displease
- annoy
- irritate
- aggravate
- vex
- exasperate
- pique
- bother
- inflame
- provoke
- infuriate
- irk
- perturb
- rouse
- get
- rile
- enrage
- anger
- outrage
- cross
- chafe
- ruffle
- bug
- disturb
- gall
- rankle
- grate
- put out
- agitate
- upset
- enflame
- offend
- roil
- harass
- distress
- steam up
- madden
- fret
- insult
- incense
- pester
- affront
- harry
- peeve
- nettle