satisfactorily

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'satisfactorily' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been done or achieved in a satisfactory way, such as: "The results of the project were satisfactorily achieved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: The 'worm' on the leaders' debates may be good TV but it's bad for democracy | Letters Such a commission would also need to grapple with the format, a question that has not been satisfactorily answered by either of the two pre-election broadcasts thus far this year.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is up to the CCG to determine when a serious incident has been satisfactorily resolved.

The Guardian

Officials said the vote was proceeding satisfactorily despite "isolated incidents".

The Guardian

But, on this occasion, EE has satisfactorily reinstated the old number, apologised and agreed to make you a payment as a gesture of goodwill to make up for the inconvenience.

The Guardian - Money

"I always put in a health warning - as long as our policies are being implemented satisfactorily, we will be in government," he said.

The Guardian

The panel will reject complaints which it believes have been resolved satisfactorily by the RE.

The Guardian

Eventually, Charles Powell, Thatcher's foreign policy adviser, devised a masterly solution to appease the Japanese: "The two roses are different in appearance, but if an error has been made, the prime minister very much hopes that it can be satisfactorily and easily resolved.

The Guardian

Tony Blair and Irish taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, are believed to have thought, when the talks concluded on Saturday, that they had resolved satisfactorily the issue of IRA disarmament and the ending of paramilitary activity.

The Guardian

Gin, he says, will "blend satisfactorily with all manner of other flavours".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The minimum charge against Modi, which he has never satisfactorily answered, is that he both encouraged the pogrom of 2002 then did nothing to stop it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Van Gaal – who last night confirmed Wayne Rooney will be his captain this season – has opened his account much more satisfactorily, on top of five straight wins on tour in the US.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "satisfactorily", ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of what constitutes a satisfactory outcome. Vague or undefined expectations can make the use of this adverb less effective.

Common error

Avoid using "satisfactorily" in highly informal or casual settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural-sounding alternatives like "well enough" or "acceptably" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "satisfactorily" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or process has been completed in a manner that meets the required standards or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "satisfactorily" functions as an adverb to express that something has been done well enough to meet requirements. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically sound, making it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, especially in news, formal business, and scientific domains. While "satisfactorily" is a correct word, consider alternatives like "adequately" or "sufficiently" in specific situations. When writing with "satisfactorily", be mindful of the formality and define clearly what constitutes a satisfactory outcome for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a satisfactory manner

Rephrases "satisfactorily" using a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the method in which something is done.

to an acceptable standard

This phrase explicitly states that something has been done to reach an agreed-upon level of quality.

adequately

This alternative focuses on meeting a minimum requirement or standard, often implying just enough to be acceptable.

sufficiently

Similar to 'adequately', but can sometimes imply a greater degree of meeting requirements.

acceptably

This suggests that something meets a standard that is deemed allowable, even if not ideal.

suitably

Highlights the appropriateness of something for a specific purpose or situation.

well enough

Indicates a degree of success that is adequate for a specific purpose, though not necessarily exceptional.

passably

Suggests that something is done to a level that is just good enough to pass inspection or scrutiny.

competently

Emphasizes the skill and ability with which something is performed, meeting the required standard.

decently

Focuses on behaving or performing in a way that is considered appropriate and respectable.

FAQs

How can I use "satisfactorily" in a sentence?

Use "satisfactorily" to describe an action or result that meets expectations or requirements, such as, "The project was completed "in a satisfactory manner", ensuring all objectives were met".

What can I say instead of "satisfactorily"?

You can use alternatives like "adequately", "sufficiently", or "acceptably" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "satisfactorily" or "satisfactory"?

"Satisfactorily" is an adverb used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, while "satisfactory" is an adjective used to describe nouns. For example, "The results were achieved "satisfactorily"" (adverb) vs. "The results were "satisfactory"" (adjective).

What does it mean when something is described as being done "satisfactorily"?

When something is described as being done "satisfactorily", it means that it has been done in a way that meets the required standards or expectations. This suggests that the outcome is acceptable and fulfills the necessary criteria.