Word: gratify

Associations

"Gratify" means to please or satisfy someone. It is often used when someone is happy due to something that has been done for them or something they received.

• Example 1: "The thoughtful gift will gratify her." This means that the gift will make her happy or pleased.
• Example 2: "His praise gratified the young artist." This means that the praise made the young artist feel good or satisfied.
• Example 3: "To gratify his curiosity, she explained the process." This means that she satisfied his need to know more about something.

A well-known synonym for "gratify" is "satisfy." The main difference is that "satisfy" can be used in a broader context (like satisfying needs or desires) while "gratify" is more focused on pleasing someone emotionally.

Substitution

Instead of "gratify," you could use:

• "satisfy" - This is a direct synonym, but it may not always imply a sense of emotional pleasure.
• "please" - This suggests making someone feel happy, similar to gratify but can be less intense.
• "fulfill" - This means to complete something, but it can also suggest meeting expectations, not just pleasing someone.

Deconstruction

The word "gratify" comes from the Latin root "gratificare," which means "to give thanks or make pleasing."

• The prefix "grat-" comes from "gratus," meaning "pleasing" or "thankful."
• The suffix "-fy" means "to make." So, together, "gratify" means "to make pleasing."

Understanding its origin helps you remember that it is related to feelings of thankfulness and satisfaction.

Inquiry

• How do you feel when someone does something that gratifies you?
• Can you think of a time when you tried to gratify a friend's wishes? What did you do?
• In what situations do you think people are most likely to seek gratification?