self-gratification

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'self-gratification' is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the act of doing something for one's own personal pleasure or satisfaction. You can use it when talking about selfish actions or behavior. For example: "He was caught up in a cycle of self-gratification, refusing to think of the consequences of his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You have to use criteria other than self-gratification.

The New Yorker

We're blinded by our desire for self-gratification".

Independent

"We live in a self-gratification, entertainment society," she said.

The New York Times

To be sure, the economy of Internet self-gratification is thriving.

The New York Times

Without these, philanthropy is in the long run mostly self-gratification, regardless of the intent.

The New Yorker

"It is about inner self-gratification rather than letting people know how rich you are".

The New York Times

Americans now reveled in self-improvement, self-expression, self-indulgence and self-gratification.

The New York Times - Books

But infomercials can do more than sell immediate self-improvement and self-gratification.

The New York Times

"An Italian-speaking friend told me that 'Sega' is a slang term for self-gratification".

The Guardian - Sport

"It was the no self-gratification clause that finally did me in".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not only do we use the internet, we use it for self gratification as well.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "self-gratification" when you want to emphasize the personal and often selfish nature of deriving pleasure or satisfaction from something.

Common error

While taking care of yourself is essential, don't confuse it with excessive "self-gratification" that neglects responsibilities or harms others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "self-gratification" functions as a noun, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the act or state of satisfying one's own desires, often in a selfish or indulgent manner, as supported by examples found through Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "self-gratification" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe actions primarily aimed at satisfying one's own desires or needs. As Ludwig AI points out, this pursuit often carries a connotation of selfishness or lack of consideration for others. While it appears across a variety of sources, including news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, the term is generally understood and applied consistently. However, it's important to distinguish "self-gratification" from healthy self-care, avoiding its misuse to describe necessary or beneficial activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-indulgence

Emphasizes excessive or unrestrained gratification of one's own desires.

hedonism

Focuses on pleasure and happiness as the ultimate goal.

personal satisfaction

Highlights the feeling of contentment derived from one's own actions or achievements.

gratification of desires

Specifically addresses fulfilling one's wants and needs.

pleasure-seeking

Emphasizes the active pursuit of enjoyable experiences.

selfish pleasure

Highlights the egoistic aspect of deriving pleasure.

instant gratification

Focuses on the desire for immediate fulfillment.

self-appeasement

Suggests a calming or pacifying of oneself through pleasure.

narcissistic supply

Refers to the fulfillment of narcissistic needs through external sources or internal validation.

egotistic satisfaction

Focuses on the self-centered nature of the satisfaction derived.

FAQs

How to use "self-gratification" in a sentence?

"Self-gratification" is used to describe actions taken primarily for one's own pleasure or satisfaction, often without regard for others. For example, "His pursuit of "instant gratification" led to poor financial decisions."

What can I say instead of "self-gratification"?

You can use alternatives like "self-indulgence", "hedonism", or "personal satisfaction" depending on the context.

Is "self-gratification" always negative?

While often used in a negative context to describe selfish behavior, "self-gratification" can be neutral depending on the extent and consequences. Some level of "personal satisfaction" is normal, but excessive focus on it can be problematic.

What's the difference between "self-gratification" and "self-care"?

"Self-care" involves actions taken to maintain or improve one's health and well-being, while "self-gratification" focuses solely on pleasure or satisfaction, potentially neglecting other important aspects of life. For example, prioritizing "healthy eating" and exercise is self-care, while consistently indulging in "instant gratification" by eating junk food is "self-gratification".