ingratiate

[ in-grey-shee-eyt ]
See synonyms for: ingratiateingratiatingingratiationingratiatory on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of ingratiate

1
First recorded in 1615–25; perhaps from Latin in grātiam “into favor,” after Italian ingraziare; see in, grace, -ate1

Other words from ingratiate

  • in·gra·ti·a·tion [in-grey-shee-ey-shuhn], /ɪnˌgreɪ ʃiˈeɪ ʃən/, noun
  • in·gra·ti·a·to·ry [in-grey-shee-uh-tawr-ee], /ɪnˈgreɪ ʃi əˌtɔr i/, adjective

Words Nearby ingratiate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ingratiate in a sentence

  • “We tried incredibly hard to ingratiate ourselves to Sarah Palin and her family,” said Broomfield in an interview.

    The Documentary Palin Will Hate | Marlow Stern | September 29, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Patricia Kluge tried to ingratiate herself with her neighbor the queen, but was continually snubbed.

    Billionaire Divorcee's Happy Ending | Sandra McElwaine | January 24, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • De Luynes presented her at court with instructions to ingratiate herself with the queen—Anne of Austria—and the king.

    Women of Modern France | Hugo P. Thieme
  • I did my utmost to ingratiate myself with her, for I knew that if any one could obtain the information I required she would do so.

    Hurricane Hurry | W.H.G. Kingston
  • In my opinion, you came simply to ingratiate yourself with Mr. Murray, and your conduct to-day has proved it.

  • He would show an interest in the family and ingratiate himself in that way; he would be asking after the children next.

  • He felt that he was taking an unreasoning dislike for the apologising Thomas, so anxious to ingratiate himself.

    Mrs. Vanderstein's jewels | Mrs. Charles Bryce

British Dictionary definitions for ingratiate

ingratiate

/ (ɪnˈɡreɪʃɪˌeɪt) /


verb
  1. (tr often foll by with) to place (oneself) purposely in the favour (of another)

Origin of ingratiate

1
C17: from Latin, from in- ² + grātia grace, favour

Derived forms of ingratiate

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

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