Synonyms

ingratiate

American

[in-grey-shee-eyt] / ɪnˈgreɪ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

ingratiated, ingratiating

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.

ingratiate British

/ ɪnˈɡreɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He made the most of this connection, flying the Welsh flag and ingratiating himself with locals, who fell for the charms of "this lovely man".

From BBC

At first, this is thought to have ingratiated the group with some locals - but this was short-lived.

From BBC

Her notes outline plans to found an international bank, buy a Swedish castle, and even to ingratiate herself with a British duke.

From BBC

The theory, perhaps, is that ingratiating themselves to the locals during this week's tune-ups might soften the vitriol which comes their way over the weekend.

From BBC

“He really has that servant leadership mentality behind the plate, which has really ingratiated himself with a lot of our pitchers.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023