Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ingratiating
First recorded in 1635–45; ingratiat(e) + -ing 2
Explanation
If someone in your class places an apple on your teacher's desk in an ingratiating manner, that means he's making a calculated move to suck up and win your teacher's favor. The word ingratiating comes from a combination of the Latin prefix in- meaning "in" and gratia meaning "favor, grace." A person who is ingratiating is trying to get in the favor or grace of those around her. But the word doesn't always have to imply a sly attempt at winning others over, sometimes it can simply mean charming or agreeable. A person's smile can be ingratiating, winning people over simply with its charm.
Vocabulary lists containing ingratiating
Behave Yourself! Vocabulary for Good, Bad, and Indifferent Conduct
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White Fang
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The Crucible, Acts 1–2
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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 would begin a performance with Glass at the piano, bestowing an ingratiating quality of quiet pleasure on Ginsberg’s flowery imagery.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
The bright, ingratiating and charismatic Saqib is a servant’s son on the Atars’ country estate.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026
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 • Dec. 31, 2025
Thus far, he seems to have done a terrible job of ingratiating himself to others: Most recently, the office’s top criminal prosecutor resigned rather than follow his allegedly improper orders.
From Slate • Feb. 20, 2025
“We ain’t doing nothing, lady,” said Neeley with that ingratiating smile which always won over his mother.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
