impossible to satisfy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to satisfy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or a person that cannot be pleased or fulfilled in their needs or expectations. Example: "The client's demands were so high that it felt impossible to satisfy them without compromising our standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Sharma agreed, saying it is "impossible to satisfy everyone".

The New York Times

For Mrs. Merkel, it may be impossible to satisfy everybody.

The New York Times

Throughout the strike, Mr. Rowland has criticized the union workers as impossible to satisfy.

The New York Times

Any time you're filming a book, it's impossible to satisfy the fans.

The Guardian - Film

Both this requirements are contradictory and it's impossible to satisfy them simultaneously with passive suspension.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

"They are not only implacable, the feeling that they give us is that they are impossible to satisfy," he said.

The Guardian

Yet it apparently hasn't dawned on the hive mind that it is impossible to satisfy all rights, every time, everywhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their demand that Schumer block Trump's Cabinet is impossible to satisfy, because a simple majority can confirm these picks.

The Washington Post

It is more and more impossible to satisfy the customer personalized and diversified demands with reducing the total cost.

Systems Engineering Procedia

As consequence, there are several regions where is almost impossible to satisfy the water demands using the available water resources.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Life with her father "resembled a kind of boot camp, presided over by a belittling, impossible-to-satisfy drill instructor".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to satisfy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the impossibility of satisfaction. Be specific about the needs, demands, or expectations that cannot be met.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to satisfy" in situations where there is simply a lack of effort or willingness to meet expectations. The phrase implies a genuine, insurmountable barrier, not mere reluctance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to satisfy" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, often describing demands, expectations, or individuals. It indicates a condition or entity that cannot be fulfilled or pleased, as confirmed by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to satisfy" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations, demands, or individuals that cannot be pleased or fulfilled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "unachievable to please" or "cannot be satisfied" exist, "impossible to satisfy" effectively conveys a strong sense of infeasibility. It is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context genuinely reflects an insurmountable barrier rather than mere unwillingness or difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be satisfied

A more direct way of stating the impossibility of satisfaction.

unachievable to please

Focuses on the lack of possibility in making someone happy.

unfeasible to appease

Highlights the impracticality of calming or pacifying someone.

incapable of being pleased

Emphasizes an inherent inability to find satisfaction.

beyond satisfaction

Indicates that the demands or desires are too great to be met.

not able to fulfill

Focuses on the inability to meet requirements or needs.

insatiable

Implies that the desire or need is endless and cannot be filled.

unable to gratify

Highlights the inability to provide pleasure or contentment.

doomed to dissatisfaction

Suggests an inevitable state of being unfulfilled.

certain to displease

Focuses on the negative outcome of failing to satisfy.

FAQs

How can I use "impossible to satisfy" in a sentence?

You can use "impossible to satisfy" to describe demands, people, or situations that cannot be pleased or fulfilled. For example: "The client's demands were "impossible to satisfy" given our budget."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to satisfy"?

Alternatives include "unachievable to please", "incapable of being pleased", or "cannot be satisfied". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "impossible to satisfy" and "difficult to satisfy"?

"Impossible to satisfy" indicates that there is no way to meet the demands or expectations, while "difficult to satisfy" implies that it is hard but not necessarily impossible.

Is it better to use "impossible to satisfy" or "unable to satisfy"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "impossible to satisfy" suggests a stronger degree of infeasibility than "unable to satisfy".