What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gratify
Example
Winning the competition gratified her desire for recognition. [gratified: verb]
Example
The chef was gratified by the positive reviews of his new restaurant. [gratified: adjective]
appease
Example
The mother tried to appease her crying baby by giving her a toy. [appease: verb]
Example
The government made concessions to appease the protesters and end the unrest. [appease: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appease is more commonly used than gratify in everyday language. Appease is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gratify is less common and refers to a specific type of satisfaction or pleasure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gratify and appease?
Both gratify and appease can be used in formal and informal contexts, but gratify may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
