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 For a century, that was enough to satisfy a slowly growing demand. — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 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 When scalability reaches fruition, there is a tendency to manage the flow and try to satisfy everyone. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 In an email, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard said that every committee member satisfies the FDA’s ethics requirements. — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for satisfy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for satisfy

Verb

Beyond alleviating school traffic and stadium congestion, the project serves as a major utility corridor.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Eric Talley, a law professor at Columbia University and corporate law expert, told CNBC that a merger could alleviate shareholders' worries about where Musk is spending his time and his companies' resources.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

Some of the weapons from American manufacturers purchased during the Biden administration are still flowing to Ukraine, but many of those contracts have been fulfilled.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
As a result, critics have likened Achilles to a carpetbagger, and called him a political opportunist who failed to fulfill his commitment to voters.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfill

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
And for options that can please any giftee on your list, check out gourmet food calendars filled with decadent chocolates, loose-leaf teas, jams and jellies, and more.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of please

Verb

Restitution for the victims has yet to be decided, but the government has argued that they should be compensated for years of therapy, loss of income, and other related losses.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
David’s publisher, Radler, compensates authors for their laughable advances with a staggering number of complimentary copies.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

Bangkok’s thirst for new rooftop cocktail bars is being slaked these days at Sanctuary, which offers a view of the glimmering Sukhumvit strip — Bangkok’s Broadway — 34 floors below.

— The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Will Frances throw over Jol for Bill from True Blood, or is her thirst for vengeance not yet slaked?

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of slake

Verb

The university admissions replacement system still has to be designed, and legal changes may be needed — leaving crucial decisions unresolved even as the government seeks to persuade students to end their protests.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The challenge was not simply to persuade undecided voters, but to get those who already preferred him to show up at the polls.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

The combination would allow the aircraft to launch a high-speed weapon against targets from considerable distances, keeping the launch platform away from some threats.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
If the Fed keeps rates on hold, Warsh will be pushed to explain why the central bank hiked in September but not this month.

— Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of keep

Browse Nearby Words

satisfies

satisfy

satisfying

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Style

“Satisfy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/satisfy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of satisfy

verb

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