satisfaction
/ˌsætɪsˈfækʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsætɪsˈfækʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-shən/ (ame, mw)
satisfaction — noun
- satisfactionsingular
- satisfactionsplural
1. the pleasant feeling that follows from reaching a goal you worked toward, or fro
the pleasant feeling that follows from reaching a goal you worked toward, or from finally getting something you hoped for
Takeshi felt a deep sense of satisfaction after finishing his first marathon.
collocation: sense of satisfaction
Faisal smiled with quiet satisfaction when he saw his test results.
collocation: with satisfaction
Knowing that her research helped patients gave Dr. Apinya great satisfaction.
There is real satisfaction in building a bookshelf with your own hands.
The team took satisfaction from the fact that their hard work paid off.
- contentment
a quieter, more lasting state of satisfaction — less about achievement and more about being at peace with what one has
- fulfillment
a deeper satisfaction that comes from reaching one's full potential or purpose
- pleasure
a broader word for any enjoyable feeling; it does not necessarily involve achievement or effort
- gratification
a more formal word for satisfaction, often from having a desire or need met
- disappointment
the feeling when something does not happen as you hoped
- dissatisfaction
the feeling when something is not good enough or does not meet your expectations
常見錯誤
2. a fair and acceptable result that someone gets after making a complaint or exper
a fair and acceptable result that someone gets after making a complaint or experiencing a problem, making them feel the issue has been properly dealt with
The customer demanded satisfaction after receiving a damaged sofa.
collocation: demand satisfaction
Adisa received full satisfaction when the store replaced the faulty laptop free of charge.
collocation: receive satisfaction / full satisfaction
The airline offered a free ticket as satisfaction for the lost luggage.
Élise sought satisfaction through the company's official complaints procedure.
The store resolved the issue to the customer's full satisfaction.
- redress
a formal or legal word for fixing a wrong; narrower and more official than 'satisfaction'
- compensation
money or payment given to make up for damage or loss, whereas satisfaction can be non-monetary (e.g. an apology)
- restitution
a formal legal term for returning something to its proper owner or state
- grievance
the unresolved complaint itself, before any satisfaction is given
用法筆記
Often used in customer service and legal contexts. Common verbs are 'demand', 'seek', 'get', 'receive', and 'obtain'. The phrase 'to someone's satisfaction' (e.g. 'the matter was resolved to his satisfaction') is also frequent — distinguish that from senses 4 and 5 where the fixed phrase carries a different emphasis.
常見錯誤
3. the act of meeting a desire, requirement, or expectation that someone has
the act of meeting a desire, requirement, or expectation that someone has
The charity works for the satisfaction of basic needs such as food and clean water.
pattern: satisfaction of + noun
The satisfaction of the workers' demands led to an end of the strike.
Customer satisfaction surveys help companies understand what people expect.
The new park was built for the satisfaction of the community's need for green space.
Their research focused on how quickly companies could achieve the satisfaction of customer expectations.
- fulfillment
nearly identical in meaning; 'fulfillment' emphasises completion while 'satisfaction' emphasises meeting a standard
- meeting
a less formal alternative (e.g. 'meeting customer needs'), not a noun here but a gerund
用法筆記
Typically used with 'of' followed by the thing being fulfilled (needs, demands, wishes, expectations). This sense is more abstract and formal than sense 1 — it describes the process or act of meeting a requirement rather than the resulting good feeling.
常見錯誤
4. a level of proof or explanation that is enough for someone to fully believe some
a level of proof or explanation that is enough for someone to fully believe something or accept it as true — for example, proving your identity to a guard's satisfaction, or demonstrating an argument to a critic's satisfaction
The accountant proved to the auditor's satisfaction that every figure was correct.
fixed phrase: to [possessive] satisfaction
Liam showed his ID to the security guard's satisfaction and was allowed inside.
It cannot be shown to everyone's satisfaction that the drug is completely safe.
The scientist presented data that resolved the question to the committee's satisfaction.
Darius explained his absence to his teacher's satisfaction with a doctor's note.
- conviction
the state of being convinced; more formal and focuses on the internal belief rather than the act of proving
- doubt
the opposite state — when evidence is not enough to make someone believe
文法句型
to + possessive + satisfaction
用法筆記
Only used in the fixed phrase 'to [possessive determiner] satisfaction'. Distinguish from sense 5: sense 4 is about being convinced (believe/accept a claim), whereas sense 5 is about being pleased with how something was done (quality/performance).
常見錯誤
5. a level of quality in work or behaviour that is good enough to please the person
a level of quality in work or behaviour that is good enough to please the person who asked for it — for example, cleaning a room to your mother's satisfaction, or completing a task to your boss's satisfaction
Camila cleaned the whole kitchen to her mother's satisfaction.
fixed phrase: to [possessive] satisfaction
The repair was completed to the landlord's satisfaction and the deposit was returned.
Asher rewrote the report several times until it was done to his boss's satisfaction.
The work was not finished to the client's satisfaction, so they asked for changes.
Noa arranged the seating plan to everyone's satisfaction before the wedding.
- approval
a positive judgment or endorsement; 'satisfaction' focuses on meeting a standard, while 'approval' focuses on someone actively saying yes to it
- displeasure
the feeling when work quality does not meet expectations
文法句型
to + possessive + satisfaction
用法筆記
Only used in the fixed phrase 'to [possessive determiner] satisfaction'. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 5 is about being pleased with the quality of something done (performance/result), whereas sense 4 is about being convinced that a claim is true (proof/belief).