Rewarding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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rewarding

[rษชหˆwษ”หdษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

work environment

Providing satisfaction; giving a sense of fulfillment or enjoyment.

Synonyms

fulfilling, gratifying, pleasing, satisfying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rewarding

Typically used to describe an experience or activity that provides personal satisfaction and benefit, often after considerable effort or time.

  • Teaching children can be incredibly rewarding.
  • Volunteering at the animal shelter has been a rewarding experience.
gratifying

Used to express a sense of happiness and satisfaction, often when receiving recognition or seeing the positive outcome of one's efforts.

  • It was gratifying to see the project succeed.
  • The praise from her boss was very gratifying.
fulfilling

Often used when discussing experiences or activities that make someone feel complete and happy, often aligned with personal goals or values.

  • Running a marathon was a fulfilling achievement for her.
  • His job in social work is very fulfilling.
satisfying

Describes something that meets expectations or desires, providing a sense of contentment and completeness.

  • Closing the deal was deeply satisfying.
  • Cooking a perfect meal can be very satisfying.
pleasing

Generally refers to something that is pleasant or enjoyable to the senses, often used in a more superficial or immediate context.

  • The concert was very pleasing to the ear.
  • She found the decor of the room pleasing.

Examples of usage

  • Working on this project was incredibly rewarding.
  • Helping others can be a very rewarding experience.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To give a reward to or for something.

Synonyms

compensate, prize, recompense, remunerate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rewarding

Used to describe an activity, job, or experience that is satisfying and brings a feeling of fulfillment.

  • Teaching can be a very rewarding profession.
  • Volunteering at the shelter was a rewarding experience.
compensate

Typically used in situations where someone is given money or something else to make up for a loss, injury, or inconvenience.

  • The company will compensate you for any travel expenses.
  • He was compensated for the extra hours he worked.
recompense

Used in more formal or literary contexts to refer to making amends to someone for loss or harm suffered. It can have a mildly negative connotation implying obligation.

  • They sought recompense for the damages caused by the storm.
  • The landlord offered to recompense us for the inconvenience.
remunerate

Used in formal contexts to describe paying someone for services they provided or work they completed.

  • The employees were well remunerated for their hard work.
  • Freelancers expect to be fairly remunerated for their projects.
prize

Used in situations where something is given as an award to the winner of a competition or contest.

  • She won the first prize in the art competition.
  • The science fair had many exciting prizes.

Examples of usage

  • The company rewarded its employees for their hard work.
  • He was rewarded for his bravery.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often feel more motivated when they know there will be a positive outcome, like praise or prizes for their efforts.
  • Engaging in activities that are considered rewarding can lead to feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction.
  • Studies show that helping others can boost one's own happiness and emotional well-being.

Education

  • Rewarding experiences in school, like receiving compliments from teachers, can enhance a studentโ€™s motivation to learn.
  • Using rewards in teaching can reinforce positive behaviors and academic achievement, making learning more enjoyable.
  • Emphasizing the rewarding aspects of education can help cultivate lifelong learners who seek knowledge for the joy of it.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures define rewarding experiences based on communal values, such as putting family or community before personal gain.
  • In some cultures, the concept of being rewarding includes cultural traditions where achievements are celebrated with festivities or gatherings.
  • Gift-giving in many cultures is seen as a rewarding way to build relationships and show appreciation.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and books highlight the theme that hard work and perseverance lead to rewarding outcomes, inspiring audiences.
  • Reality shows often capture the journey of participants who find rewarding moments through challenges, offering entertainment and motivation to viewers.
  • Hit songs frequently explore themes of love and friendship as some of the most rewarding experiences in life.

Philosophy

  • Many philosophical discussions focus on what constitutes a 'rewarding' life and how to find meaning in everyday experiences.
  • The concept of eudaimonia in philosophy relates to leading a rewarding life characterized by purpose and virtue.
  • Philosophers often debate whether intrinsic rewards (like personal satisfaction) are more valuable than extrinsic ones (like money or status).

Origin of 'rewarding'

The word 'rewarding' is derived from the Middle English word 'rewarden', which comes from the Old French word 'rewearder', meaning 'to regard, consider, reward'. The concept of rewarding behavior has been present in human societies throughout history, as a way to encourage positive actions and behaviors. The idea of rewards and incentives is deeply rooted in psychology and has been studied extensively in the field of behavioral psychology.


See also: reward, rewardingly, rewards, unrewarded, unrewarding.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,656, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.