satisfied
/ˈsætɪsfaɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsætɪsfaɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsa-təs-ˌfīd/ (ame, mw)
satisfied — adjective
- satisfiedpositive
- more satisfiedcomparative
- most satisfiedsuperlative
1. Feeling happy or content because something you hoped for actually happened, or b
Feeling happy or content because something you hoped for actually happened, or because you received what you needed or asked for.
Minh felt satisfied after finishing the last chapter of her novel before the deadline.
satisfied + after + gerund: cause-then-feeling pattern
The children looked satisfied when their father brought home a new puppy.
linking verb pattern: look / seem / feel satisfied
Layla was not satisfied with the hotel room because the air conditioner did not work.
A satisfied smile spread across Piotr's face when he tasted the soup he had made.
Tara was satisfied to learn that her flight would arrive on time despite the fog.
- content
a quieter, longer-lasting feeling of happiness; less about achieving a goal and more about accepting what you have
- pleased
similar intensity but slightly more polite and formal; common in service contexts ('pleased with the service')
- happy
broader and more general; can describe many kinds of positive feelings beyond achievement
- fulfilled
a deeper sense of satisfaction tied to personal purpose or long-term goals
- dissatisfied
the direct opposite; unhappy with what was received or achieved
- disappointed
sad because something did not meet your hopes or expectations
- unsatisfied
less common; emphasises that a need or desire has not been met
文法句型
satisfied + with + noun phrase (e.g. satisfied with the result)
satisfied + to-infinitive (to see / to hear / to learn / to know)
satisfied + that-clause (that things turned out well)
用法筆記
Often appears with the preposition 'with' to name what causes the feeling (satisfied with the service, satisfied with the progress). When used before a noun (a satisfied customer, a satisfied smile), it describes a visible sign of contentment. The to-infinitive pattern (satisfied to see / hear / learn) shows the reason for the feeling: something good has come to your attention.
常見錯誤
2. Feeling certain that something is correct or true after checking the facts, hear
Feeling certain that something is correct or true after checking the facts, hearing an explanation, or seeing enough evidence — for example, being satisfied that a safety check is complete, or that someone's story matches what really happened.
The police were satisfied that the driver had not broken any traffic rules.
formal pattern: be satisfied + that-clause (legal context)
After checking the report twice, João felt satisfied the numbers were all correct.
omitted that in informal construction
Hugo studied the map and felt satisfied the team could reach the camp before dark.
The judge said she was satisfied that Chidi had told the truth about the accident.
Rin was not satisfied that the lock was secure, so she checked it again.
- convinced
the closest synonym; more common in everyday speech for this meaning
- certain
stronger; suggests no doubt at all, while 'satisfied' allows for slight hesitation
- persuaded
emphasises that someone or something changed your mind through reasoning
- assured
focuses on being made confident by promises or guarantees from others
文法句型
satisfied + that-clause (e.g. satisfied that the door was locked)
satisfied + (zero that) clause in informal use
remain / be not satisfied + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (PLEASED): this sense is about belief and certainty, not happiness. You can be satisfied that a fact is true and still feel unhappy about it. The construction is 'satisfied that + clause' — never 'satisfied with + noun' for this meaning. Common in formal, legal, and investigative contexts.