obtain satisfaction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain satisfaction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of achieving a sense of fulfillment or contentment, often in the context of resolving a complaint or meeting a need. Example: "After several discussions with customer service, I was finally able to obtain satisfaction regarding my refund request."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Talion was the ultimate satisfaction a plaintiff might demand but was not mandatory; the injured person could obtain satisfaction with money if he wished.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Garnishment, (from Middle French garnir, meaning "to warn"), a process by which a creditor can obtain satisfaction of an indebtedness of the debtor by initiating a proceeding to attach property or other assets.

Britannica

In July the city wrote to the holders of 624 mortgages asking to purchase the debt at 80% of market value and threatening to invoke eminent domain if it did not obtain satisfaction.

The Economist

The picture never scores cheap points off anybody, which does not, of course, mean that the characters involved do not often obtain satisfaction, if only temporarily, by thinking they have won an argument or put someone in his or her place.

The Guardian

Already there have been signs of concern in both countries, the United States' closest Asian allies, that the breakthrough could upset South Korea's own diplomacy with the North and make the possibility that Japan will obtain satisfaction on its longstanding grievances toward North Korea even more remote.

The New York Times

After the assassination of the Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo (June 28 , 1914, Grey and the German emperor William II independently proposed that Austria-Hungary, without resorting to war, obtain satisfaction from Serbia by occupying Belgrade, which the Serbian government had abandoned.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Seizure of property was common in ancient societies as a means of obtaining satisfaction for crime, breach of contract, nonpayment of debt, or any other offense or injury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So of arrest of the person, sequestration of goods, levy on lands, and the like; the plaintiff does not derive his right to the use of these means from the agreement of the contractor, but from the positive law which gives him the remedy, and the means of obtaining satisfaction, incident thereto.

Harvard University

These are familiar routines, and as long as he or she still obtains satisfaction in doing chores, it's important to continue to invite their help.

Huffington Post

He recalls feeling like a loser after meetings in which "I didn't get my way," but says he now obtains satisfaction from compromise.

Los Angeles Times

They obtained satisfaction from providing what they believed was non-judgmental care to stigmatized people [ 52].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtain satisfaction" in formal writing, consider the specific context. Ensure that the noun "satisfaction" aligns with the intended meaning, whether it's related to resolving a grievance, achieving a personal goal, or meeting a specific requirement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "obtain satisfaction" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "get what I wanted" or "be happy with the outcome" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain satisfaction" functions as a verb phrase where "obtain" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object, and "satisfaction" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in English, emphasizing its role in describing the achievement of fulfillment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

23%

News & Media

21%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain satisfaction" is a grammatically sound and usable expression signifying the achievement of contentment, resolution, or redress. As indicated by Ludwig AI, while accurate and versatile, its register leans towards formal, making it particularly suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts. Consider its formality level when choosing alternatives like "get satisfaction" for more casual settings. Top authoritative sources like Encyclopedia Britannica and The New York Times feature the usage of "obtain satisfaction", reinforcing its credibility. The term is most frequently used in science, news and media, and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve contentment

Replaces "satisfaction" with "contentment", emphasizing a state of happiness and fulfillment.

gain fulfillment

Shifts the focus to achieving a sense of personal accomplishment and purpose.

reach fulfillment

Reach, instead of obtain, but maintain the meaning of achieving a sense of personal accomplishment.

secure redress

Focuses on obtaining compensation or correction for a wrong or grievance.

find resolution

Emphasizes the act of resolving a problem or conflict, leading to a satisfactory outcome.

attain resolution

Similar to "find resolution", but with a slightly more formal tone.

achieve redress

Achieve, instead of obtain, but maintain the meaning of obtaining compensation for a wrong.

get closure

Implies reaching a point of emotional or psychological completion, often after a difficult experience.

secure contentment

Secure, instead of obtain, but keep the meaning of ensuring a feeling of happiness.

derive gratification

Gratification focuses on the pleasure and satisfaction gained from something.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain satisfaction" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain satisfaction" when you want to express that someone has achieved a state of contentment or has successfully resolved an issue. For instance, "The company worked hard to ensure that every customer could "achieve satisfaction" with their purchase".

What are some alternatives to "obtain satisfaction"?

Some alternatives to "obtain satisfaction" include "achieve fulfillment", "secure redress", "find resolution", or "get closure", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "obtain satisfaction" or "get satisfaction"?

"Obtain satisfaction" is generally more formal than "get satisfaction". "Get satisfaction" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, while "obtain satisfaction" is preferred in formal or professional settings where a more refined tone is desired.

What's the difference between "obtain satisfaction" and "derive satisfaction"?

"Obtain satisfaction" implies actively acquiring or achieving a state of satisfaction. "Derive satisfaction", on the other hand, suggests that the satisfaction is a result or consequence of something else. For example, "He obtained satisfaction by resolving the customer's complaint," versus "He derived satisfaction from helping others".