ingratiate

American  

[in-grey-shee-eyt] / ɪnˈgreɪ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

ingratiated, ingratiating

1. to establish (oneself or another person) in the favor or good graces of someone, especially by deliberate effort (usually followed bywith ).

   He ingratiated himself with all the guests.

   She ingratiated her colleagues with her well-researched project proposal.

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ingratiate British  

/ ɪnˈɡreɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to place (oneself) purposely in the favour (of another)

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Other Word Forms

• ingratiating adjective
• ingratiatingly adverb
• ingratiation noun
• ingratiatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of ingratiate

First recorded in 1615–25; perhaps from Latin in grātiam “into favor,” after Italian ingraziare; in, grace, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

He appeared to ingratiate himself into royal circles too, becoming a director of Pitch@Palace in 2016, and being appointed to the board of a royal charity, St George's House.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

But while individuals may flatter him and ingratiate themselves, the market doesn’t.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

During their first meeting as part of a new company-wide mentorship program, Samuel matches Romy’s slippery intensity, and his reluctance to ingratiate himself intrigues her.

From Salon • Dec. 30, 2024

As Tama the magpie begins to ingratiate himself into the lives of Marnie and Rob with his funny gibberish, the secrets of their marriage begin to fall away and a darker story reveals itself.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

For he knew that he had failed, from the very beginning, to ingratiate himself with Edmund.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

Related Words

• flatter