satisfy a craving

USAGE SUMMARY

'satisfy a craving' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a physical or emotional want or need. For example: "After a long day of work, I decided to satisfy my craving for ice cream by getting a scoop from my favorite shop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Some customers journey from Long Island or New Jersey to satisfy a craving for the just-like-home dishes.

The New York Times

Visitors can sample traditional specialties like weisswurst and zwiebelkuchen (onion tarts) or satisfy a craving for Sicilian wine, olives and prosciutto.

The New York Times - Travel

They are subscribing for the food first, but they can also satisfy a craving to be closer to the farming process and to the land itself.

The Washington Post

Maybe it's just a product of getting older, but I'd rather cook to satisfy a craving than cook for the intellect".

The New York Times - Food

But the opportunity to satisfy a craving for adventure, along with your need for independent downtime, is too good to overlook.

The Guardian

Here are some ways to satisfy a craving for eggs: 'Wichcraft, 49 East 19th Street, serves a sandwich of soft egg yolk, thick salted anchovy fillets and caramelized onions.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I devoured it in three thirsty gulps, gulps that satisfied a craving I didn't know I had.

The New York Times - Books

It satisfies a craving for immediacy and ephemerality, one that has lately grown to encompass all of social media.

The New Yorker

This sorbet-like dessert made us feel like we were eating something good for us, but it still satisfied a craving for sweets.

The Washington Post

It's not very nourishing but it's likely to satisfy a specific craving.

The Washington Post

A Passionate Indulgence Sometimes tasting is not necessary to satisfy a chocolate craving.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "satisfy a craving", consider the intensity of the desire you're describing; "quench" or "appease" might be more appropriate for intense desires, while "meet" or "answer" can be suitable for milder ones.

Common error

Avoid using "satisfy a craving" too frequently in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "appease", "gratify", or "quench" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "satisfy a craving" functions as a verb phrase, where "satisfy" is the transitive verb and "a craving" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. This means it's grammatically sound and conveys a clear action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "satisfy a craving" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively conveys the action of fulfilling a strong desire. According to Ludwig, it's a usable phrase in written English. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is well-established, remember to consider synonyms like "appease", "gratify", and "quench" to enrich your writing and avoid repetition. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appease a craving

Replaces "satisfy" with "appease", suggesting a calming or quieting of the craving rather than a complete fulfillment.

gratify a craving

Substitutes "satisfy" with "gratify", implying a more pleasurable or indulgent fulfillment of the craving.

quench a craving

Uses "quench" instead of "satisfy", often used for thirst but applicable to other strong desires, suggesting a complete and immediate end to the craving.

indulge a craving

Replaces "satisfy" with "indulge", emphasizing the act of giving in to the craving, often with a sense of luxury or excess.

fulfill a craving

Substitutes "satisfy" with "fulfill", highlighting the completion or realization of what the craving demands.

meet a craving

Uses "meet" as a less intense alternative to "satisfy", suggesting a simple and adequate response to the craving.

answer a craving

Replaces "satisfy" with "answer", portraying the action as a direct response to a need or desire.

content a craving

Substitutes "satisfy" with "content", indicating a filling of the craving to a point of being happy or at peace.

take the edge off a craving

This alternative implies reducing the intensity of the craving, rather than fully satisfying it.

alleviate a craving

Suggests a lessening of the craving's intensity, providing relief without necessarily complete satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "satisfy a craving" in a sentence?

You can use "satisfy a craving" to describe fulfilling a strong desire. For example, "After a long day, I needed to "satisfy a craving" for pizza."

What are some alternatives to "satisfy a craving"?

Some alternatives include "appease a craving", "gratify a craving", or "quench a craving", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "satisfy a craving" or "indulge a craving"?

"Satisfy a craving" generally implies a basic fulfillment, while "indulge a craving" suggests a more luxurious or excessive fulfillment. The best choice depends on the context and the level of desire involved.

What's the difference between "satisfy a craving" and "meet a need"?

"Satisfy a craving" typically refers to fulfilling a strong desire, often for something specific like a type of food, whereas "meet a need" refers to fulfilling a basic requirement for survival or well-being.