satisfy others

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "satisfy others" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of meeting the needs or expectations of other people. Example: "In her quest to please everyone, she often found herself trying to satisfy others at the expense of her own happiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Griesemer et al. also argue that the Hoyle conditions may conflict: satisfying one may limit the ability to satisfy others.

SEP

The movie, directed by Rowdy Herrington, approvingly subscribes to the hero-as-masochist archetype by suggesting that all Jones's achievements were accomplished to satisfy others' expectations.

The New York Times

A1 BUSINESS DAY C1-16 A Safe Choice From Bush In nominating Ben S. Bernanke to succeed Alan Greenspan as Fed chairman, President Bush essentially chose a candidate who would satisfy others -- investors on Wall Street, lawmakers in Congress -- more than himself or his Republican base.

The New York Times

Living to appease or satisfy others is a waste of your soul.

Huffington Post

The pressure to fit in, to satisfy others, to disregard ones' own skills for the sake of doing something "better" in life.

Huffington Post

But it's also part of an expectation that sex workers will be an open book to satisfy others' curiosity, or that we don't have a right to privacy and dignity.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Instead, they exist to satisfy other needs.

The New Yorker

You learn to satisfy other people's needs before your own.

The New York Times

They turned to fraud to pay expenses and satisfy other customers who were demanding their money back, the government said.

The New York Times - Arts

Should we deny our polity to satisfy other Anglican primates, many of whom still do not ordain women?

The New York Times

They even satisfy Loewenstein and Golman's requirement for epiphany: while reading a specific narrative scenario, you learn about broader physics concepts that can satisfy other information gaps.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "satisfy others", consider whether you want to emphasize meeting expectations, providing pleasure, or appeasing someone. Choose a synonym that aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "satisfy others" as a primary motivation in your writing, as it can suggest a lack of personal agency or internal goals. Instead, focus on balanced motivations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "satisfy others" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "satisfy" is the verb and "others" is the object. It indicates the action of fulfilling the needs or expectations of other people. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "satisfy others" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase, meaning to meet the needs or expectations of other individuals. Ludwig AI confirms this. While it's a relatively common phrase, its usage isn't overwhelmingly frequent, appearing mostly in news and media, science, and wiki content. When using "satisfy others", consider whether your intent is to emphasize meeting expectations, providing pleasure, or simply appeasing someone, and choose a synonym accordingly, such as "please others" or "meet others' expectations". Be mindful of overemphasizing external validation in your writing, ensuring a balance between meeting others' needs and maintaining your own agency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please others

Focuses more on giving pleasure or making someone happy.

meet others' expectations

Highlights fulfilling what is anticipated or required by others.

appease others

Suggests pacifying someone, often by acceding to their demands.

cater to others

Implies providing what is needed or desired, often in a subservient manner.

accommodate others

Emphasizes adjusting to others' needs or preferences.

gratify others

Focuses on giving satisfaction or pleasure.

oblige others

Suggests doing something as a favor or out of a sense of duty.

yield to others

Highlights giving way to others' desires or demands.

defer to others

Implies respecting others' opinions or wishes and acting accordingly.

pander to others

Suggests indulging others' whims, often in a negative way.

FAQs

What does "satisfy others" mean?

"Satisfy others" means to meet the needs, desires, or expectations of other people, providing them with contentment or fulfillment.

What can I say instead of "satisfy others"?

You can use alternatives like "please others", "meet others' expectations", or "appease others" depending on the context.

Is it always good to try to "satisfy others"?

While it's important to be considerate of others, constantly trying to "satisfy others" can lead to neglecting your own needs and well-being. A balance is key.

How does "satisfy others" differ from "please others"?

"Satisfy others" implies meeting needs or expectations, while "please others" focuses more on providing enjoyment or happiness. The nuance depends on the specific situation.