different between satisfactory vs persuasive

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French satisfactoire, from Late Latin satisfact?rius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfaci?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sæt?s?fækt(?)?i/
• Rhymes: -ækt??i

Adjective

satisfactory (comparative more satisfactory, superlative most satisfactory)

1. Done to satisfaction; adequate or sufficient.

   The satisfactory results of the survey led to his promotion.
2. Causing satisfaction; agreeable or pleasant; satisfying.
3. (theology) Making atonement for a sin; expiatory.

Usage notes

Although structurally similar (both being derived from satisfy and describing that which produces satisfaction), satisfactory (def. 1) and satisfying differ in connotation. Satisfactory connotes "adequate, conforming to standards," while satisfying connotes "pleasing, or sufficient to remove any feeling of lack." An answer to a question or the outcome of a situation, for example, could be satisfactory without being satisfying, if it met the requirements but left one wanting more.

Derived terms

• satisfactorily (adv)
• unsatisfactory (adj)

Related terms

• satisfaction (n)
• satisfied (adj)

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle French persuasif, from Medieval Latin persu?s?vus, from Latin past participle stem of persu?d?re + -?vus

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?(?)?swe?s?v/

Adjective

persuasive (comparative more persuasive, superlative most persuasive)

1. able to persuade; convincing

Derived terms

• counterpersuasive

Translations

Noun

persuasive (plural persuasives)

1. That which persuades; incitement.
   • 1839, George Robert Gleig, Germany, Bohemia, and Hungary: Visited in 1837 (volume 1, page 68)

     He smiled a very knowing smile, and setting up a halloo, and shaking his leathern thong, away we went at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour. I had no occasion to go further with my persuasives; the pace was kept up, […]

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p??.s?a.ziv/

Adjective

persuasive

1. feminine singular of persuasif

German

Pronunciation

Adjective

persuasive

1. inflection of persuasiv:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Italian

Adjective

persuasive

1. feminine plural of persuasivo