gratifying 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgra-tə-ˌfī-iŋ How to pronounce gratifying (audio)
Definition of gratifyingnext
1
as in enjoyable
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses a spectacular film that is gratifying to both the mind and the eyes

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2
as in comforting
making one feel good inside your warm welcome sure is gratifying to this tired soul

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gratifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of gratify
1
as in pleasing
to give in to (a desire) just gratify this one whim of mine

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2
as in satisfying
to give satisfaction to your presence at the holiday table would really gratify your grandmother

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gratifying
Adjective
Paul Greengrass But particularly shooting out in the wilderness, shooting out in nature, felt really, really gratifying. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 Trusting my intuition has proved both helpful and really gratifying. — Sarah Stillman, The New York Review of Books, 28 July 2026
Verb
In gratifying the left, the Warren Court debilitated the long tradition of opposing judicial supremacy. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 What’s most exciting or gratifying for you about this project, and having these programs include ASL now? — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gratifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratifying
  1. enjoyable
  2. comforting
  3. pleasing
  4. satisfying
  5. pleasant
  6. encouraging
  7. indulging
  8. delighting
Adjective
  • By redesigning the work product—an important element of the daily routines—work became more enjoyable for the employees.
    — Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Once night falls and the Delta breeze carries away any remaining daytime warmth, climbing becomes a far more enjoyable experience.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of enjoyable
Adjective
  • The meals here strike a strong balance between comforting and elevated, and all ingredients are locally sourced.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In a city where change is constant — especially in the food and beverage scene — Charlotte’s classic restaurants are among the most beloved places to gather with family and friends or stop in for a comforting bite to eat.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • But all that warm, crowd-pleasing material is incongruously, fascinatingly, and not so comfortably fitted inside a story about great loss.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Keery’s charming delivery of several truth-telling speeches proves that villains don’t get all the juicy, crowd-pleasing moments.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of pleasing
Verb
  • On TikTok, creators crow about Le Pliage’s visually and physically satisfying design, produced in workshops across Western France.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • And as always, sites and zones on Mars for the choppers means satisfying engineering constraints imposed by the project and spacecraft design.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of satisfying
Adjective
  • Jacaranda trees bloom in purple across the city’s streets and parks, making wandering between neighborhoods in search of milongas (tango dance halls) especially pleasant.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In a world of endless technical advancement, who could have predicted that the greatest luxury of all would be a pleasant conversation with a human?
    — Anna van Praagh, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of pleasant
Adjective
  • Other big tech stocks likewise fell following quarterly reports that included at least some encouraging nuggets.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Besides SpaceX’s profit report showing strength for AI spending, another encouraging signal for the industry came from Super Micro Computer, which sells AI servers and services.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • Adults aren’t always used to indulging this kind of curiosity.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
  • His current employer is Damien Cantor, an authentically sleazy and slippery character who operates under no discernible code beyond indulging a dumb, preening narcissism.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of indulging
Verb
  • Irish comedian Joanne McNally was first on stage, delighting the packed house with the woes of being single and 40.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of delighting fans by paying loving homage to the movies or winning over newcomers with an exciting fresh take on the material, the show fails on both fronts, swinging wildly from one misbegotten idea to the next.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of delighting

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Cite this Entry

“Gratifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratifying. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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