satisfy vs satiate

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Michael - 29 Apr 2007 21:55 GMT

Hi,

What is the difference between "satisfy" and "satiate"? Do both of the
following sentences have the exact meaning?

1) "If you thought Hillary was going to run away from Bill in order to
satiate the Clinton haters, think again."

2) "If you thought Hillary was going to run away from Bill in order to
satisfy the Clinton haters, think again."

Thanks

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jerry_friedman@yahoo.com - 29 Apr 2007 23:21 GMT

> Hi,
>
> What is the difference between "satisfy" and "satiate"?

The relevant definition of "satisfy" in the American Heritage
Dictionary is "1. To gratify the need, desire, or expectation of."
The definitions of the verb "satiate" are "1. To satisfy (an appetite
or desire) fully. 2. To satisfy to excess." So the difference is
"fully" or "to excess".

> Do both of the
> following sentences have the exact meaning?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> 2) "If you thought Hillary was going to run away from Bill in order to
> satisfy the Clinton haters, think again."

No. In this case it seems unlikely that anything Sen. Clinton does
would satisfy "fully" or "to excess" people who really hate Bill
Clinton, so the "you" probably meant "satisfy". But I can't be sure.

--
Jerry Friedman

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Arcadian Rises - 29 Apr 2007 23:35 GMT

On Apr 29, 6:21�pm, "jerry_fried...@yahoo.com"
<jerry_fried...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> > Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> would satisfy "fully" or "to excess" people who really hate Bill
> Clinton, so the "you" probably meant "satisfy". But I can't be sure.

I agree with you, but for a different reason.

I believe that "satiate" applies to physical, concrete or material
needs while "satisfy" (which, BTW cannot be partial) applies to
abstract or figurative needs like "thirst for power" which is not
really a thirst.

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / April 2007

satisfy vs satiate