ingratiate

[ in-grey-shee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·gra·ti·at·ed, in·gra·ti·at·ing.

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

   He ingratiated himself with all the guests.

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

ingratiate

/ ɪnˈɡreɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• inˈgratiˌating, adjective
• inˌgratiˈation, noun
• inˈgratiˌatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·gra·ti·a·tion [in-grey-shee-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• in·gra·ti·a·to·ry [in-, grey, -shee-, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingratiate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingratiate¹

C17: from Latin, from in- ² + grātia grace, favour

Example Sentences

Those moments all trace back to Ohtani’s ability to ingratiate himself with his new teammates this year.

From Los Angeles Times

One reason this has happened is these NAR leaders ingratiated themselves with Donald Trump, giving them power and influence beyond their numbers or representation in the larger evangelical world.

From Salon

For some reason, he thought that was a friendly way to ingratiate himself to this African American man.

From Los Angeles Times

Both show off Glaser’s gift for grabbing a subject, attacking it from every side, playing smart and dumb, ingratiating and insulting, going sweet or sour.

From New York Times

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

Related Words

• flatter