ingratiation

American  

[in-grey-shee-ey-shuhn] / ɪnˌgreɪ ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of establishing oneself in the favor or good graces of someone, especially by deliberate effort in order to influence or manipulate.

   I struggle to free my store staff—and myself—from this constant dignity-sapping, servile ingratiation with customers.

---

Etymology

Origin of ingratiation

ingrati(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

There isn’t a drop of ingratiation in it.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2023

And so they escalate their efforts at ingratiation, plotting disastrous reunions first with Hilda’s estranged sister, and then with her former flame.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2022

What’s clear these days is that this edifice of ingratiation is shaky.

From New York Times • Oct. 25, 2022

Bob is a unique figure in Hardy’s CV: he is basically likable and relatable, and Hardy’s face and style have always resisted this kind of ingratiation.

From The Guardian • May 14, 2020

Marie stood framed in her wild cucumber-vine, regarding the captain with her pretty ingratiation, but not another smile she got.

From The Debtor A Novel by Stevens, William Dodge