SATISFY Synonyms: 206 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'satisfy' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of satisfy are compensate , indemnify , pay , recompense , reimburse , remunerate , and repay . While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law. // all creditors will be satisfied in full

Q: When would 'compensate' be a good substitute for 'satisfy'?

The words compensate and satisfy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered. // an attorney well compensated for her services

Q: When could 'indemnify' be used to replace 'satisfy'?

The synonyms indemnify and satisfy are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare. // indemnified the families of the dead miners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pay' instead of 'satisfy'?

Although the words pay and satisfy have much in common, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred. // paid their bills

Q: Where would 'recompense' be a reasonable alternative to 'satisfy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to satisfy , recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward. // passengers were recompensed for the delay

Q: When is 'reimburse' a more appropriate choice than 'satisfy'?

While the synonyms reimburse and satisfy are close in meaning, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit. // reimbursed employees for expenses

Q: When can 'remunerate' be used instead of 'satisfy'?

The words remunerate and satisfy can be used in similar contexts, but remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for. // promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

Q: When might 'repay' be a better fit than 'satisfy'?

The meanings of repay and satisfy largely overlap; however, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount. // repay a favor with a favor

satisfy

verb

ˈsa-təs-ˌfī

Definition of satisfy

as in to alleviate

to put a complete end to (a physical need or desire) the players satisfied their hunger after the game with a big pasta dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to convince

to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests it took me a while to satisfy my attorney that I had good grounds for a lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of the contractor had clearly failed to satisfy the terms of the agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to please

to give satisfaction to a hot dinner and a relaxing massage never fails to satisfy her after a long week at work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to compensate

to provide (someone) with a just payment for loss or injury the owners of the restaurant were generously satisfied for any business lost during the filming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word satisfy distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of satisfy are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, and repay. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," satisfy implies paying a person what is required by law.

all creditors will be satisfied in full

When would compensate be a good substitute for satisfy?

The words compensate and satisfy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compensate implies a making up for services rendered.

an attorney well compensated for her services

When could indemnify be used to replace satisfy?

The synonyms indemnify and satisfy are sometimes interchangeable, but indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare.

indemnified the families of the dead miners

When is it sensible to use pay instead of satisfy?

Although the words pay and satisfy have much in common, pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred.

paid their bills

Where would recompense be a reasonable alternative to satisfy?

While in some cases nearly identical to satisfy, recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward.

passengers were recompensed for the delay

When is reimburse a more appropriate choice than satisfy?

While the synonyms reimburse and satisfy are close in meaning, reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit.

reimbursed employees for expenses

When can remunerate be used instead of satisfy?

The words remunerate and satisfy can be used in similar contexts, but remunerate clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for.

promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely

When might repay be a better fit than satisfy?

The meanings of repay and satisfy largely overlap; however, repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount.

repay a favor with a favor

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 satisfy Even the richest emperors of the past did not have the ability to satisfy their whims that is now possessed by any student in Chicago or Berlin or Kinshasa. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 The free Apple Photos is approachable for photography novices but still powerful enough to satisfy those who want extra control. — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 Allows two years of marching band to satisfy physical-education and performing-arts requirements for a high school diploma (HB 453). — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 The Justices ruled the president cannot redefine birthright citizenship, and all children who are born in the United States, whether their parents are in the country legally or not, satisfy citizenship requirements in the 14th amendment. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for satisfy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for satisfy

Verb

The shipments meant Adnoc was able to take greater advantage of surging oil prices earlier in the war, and helped alleviate the impact of the broader closure of the strait on global supplies.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
This is a critical time in history to create sustainable prevention and optimization, not simply alleviate symptoms.

— Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

The court date begins a weeklong preliminary hearing where prosecutors aim to convince a Utah judge to allow the trial to move forward.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of convince

Verb

The last few weeks have shown his governing style and a remarkable run of papal decision-making where Leo has set the agenda, rather than merely fulfill the appointments set by his predecessor.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
But work, starting a family and following Leicester up and down the country prevented him from fulfilling that World Cup dream.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

Making price info less accessible The order to be voted on later this month includes a few other changes that will please ISPs and their lobby groups.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Oviedo residents turned out by the hundreds for the sunny afternoon of crowd-pleasing contests and down-home edibles at tiny booths lining a grassy lot next to the Meat World parking lot.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026

Definition of please

Verb

Then incorporate it into performance reviews, and create structures to compensate for the extra time and emotional energy spent on it.

— Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Douglas said automatic gratuities also serve a practical purpose for larger parties, helping to ensure servers are fairly compensated for the additional coordination and service those tables require.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

Since Mary Grace’s death, her parents have poured their energy into persuading lawmakers to make camps safer by banning cabins in active flood plains, mandating 24-7 weather monitoring and requiring rigorous annual evacuation training.

— Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Marketing and communications professionals rely on language to inform, persuade and connect with audiences.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

This version from Quince has a separate compartment for a laptop, as well as two separate sections to keep the remaining belongings organized.

— Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Beyond their cool-girl air, the shoes offer plenty of support and cushioning thanks to their plush insoles that keep your arches comfortable for hours of strutting.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026

Definition of keep

Browse Nearby Words

satisfies

satisfy

satisfying

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“Satisfy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/satisfy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of satisfy

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