Meaning & use
satisfactorily
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Meaning
adverb
In a way that is good enough to meet a standard, requirement, or expectation.
Grammar: Typically modifies verbs like 'perform', 'complete', or 'explain' to indicate the result meets a minimum standard.
Patterns
- perform satisfactorily
- explain something satisfactorily
- be satisfactorily resolved
The repairs were completed satisfactorily and the car passed inspection.
She explained the problem satisfactorily, and everyone understood.
The issue was not satisfactorily resolved, so we had to escalate it.
Common combinations
- perform satisfactorily
- The new employee performed satisfactorily during the trial period.
- satisfactorily resolved
- The complaint was satisfactorily resolved within a week.
- satisfactorily explained
- The teacher satisfactorily explained the difficult concept.
- satisfactorily meet requirements
- The product satisfactorily meets all safety requirements.
Synonyms and how they differ
- adequately
- Adequately means enough for a purpose but often implies barely sufficient; satisfactorily suggests meeting a standard more positively.
- acceptably
- Acceptably means able to be accepted, but may imply toleration rather than full satisfaction.
Opposites
Word family
- satisfactory adjective
- Good enough for a particular purpose.
- satisfaction noun
- The feeling of being pleased or content.
- satisfy verb
- To meet the needs or expectations of someone.
Commonly confused: satisfactorily or satisfiedly?
satisfactorily vs satisfiedly
Satisfiedly is rare and means 'in a satisfied manner'; satisfactorily is the common adverb for meeting a standard.
Practice
The project was completed ______, so the client approved it.
Choose one answer.
The adverb 'satisfactorily' correctly modifies the verb 'completed'. 'Satisfactory' is an adjective and would need a noun like 'way'; 'satisfaction' and 'satisfy' are a noun and verb respectively.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “satisfactorily”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.