satisfied

1. 1
   adjective

   Feeling pleased and content because a need, desire, or expectation has been met.

   After months of hard work, the whole team felt deeply satisfied with the results.

   A satisfied guest is far more likely to return and recommend the hotel to friends.

   Similarhappy, content, pleased

   Oppositedissatisfied, unhappy, discontented, disappointed

   Note

   An adjective that began life as a participle. Middle English had satisfyed, also spelled i-satisfyed, the past participle of satisfien. That origin is still felt, because the feeling it names is the result of something being supplied. It takes with before its object (satisfied with your progress), and it often reports that an expectation has been met rather than outright delight.

2. 2
   adjective

   Convinced that something is true on the basis of the available evidence.

   The inspector was satisfied that all the safety rules had been followed correctly.

   Investors remained satisfied that the company's reported figures were accurate.

   Similarconvinced, sure, certain, confident

   Oppositeunconvinced, doubtful, uncertain, skeptical

   Note

   Here the satisfaction is of the mind, not the appetite. The word usually takes a that-clause (satisfied that the defendant did not intend a riot), and it belongs naturally to courts, inquiries and inspections, where someone must weigh evidence and reach a view. Contentment takes with; conviction takes that. That choice of construction is the quickest way to tell this sense from the feeling of being pleased.

3. 3
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of satisfy.

   Her thorough answer satisfied everyone in the meeting room.

   The final settlement satisfied both parties to the dispute.

   Note

   The verb form behind phrases like a debt satisfied or a claim satisfied. Perfect tenses pair it with have (the payment has satisfied the claim), and the passive pairs it with be (the claim was satisfied). It shares its spelling with the adjective of contentment. One test is degree: very satisfied or more satisfied is the adjective, while satisfied by the settlement usually reports the verb's action.

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