ingratiate

verb

in·​gra·​ti·​ate in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce ingratiate (audio)
ingratiated; ingratiating

transitive verb

: to gain favor or favorable acceptance for by deliberate effort
usually used with with
ingratiate themselves with the community leadersWilliam Attwood
ingratiation noun
ingratiatory adjective

Did you know?

When you ingratiate yourself, you put yourself in someone’s good graces in order to gain their approval or favor. While the word ingratiate does not necessarily imply that your behavior is obsequious or otherwise improper, the word may be used disapprovingly by those who distrust your motives. The word entered English in the early 1600s from the combining of the Latin noun gratia, meaning “grace” or “favor,” with the English prefix in-. Gratia comes from the adjective gratus, meaning “pleasing, grateful.” Gratus has, over the centuries, ingratiated itself well with the English language as the ancestor of a whole host of words including gratuitous, congratulate, and grace.

Examples of ingratiate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Zaheer was a serious under-the-radar threat, ingratiating himself with everyone while secretly masterminding several big votes post-merge. Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 26 Feb. 2024 The first episode kicks off with the couple’s latest plan, which is to flip houses and convert them into eco-friendly homes for the struggling residents of Española, New Mexico, all for their new reality show being overseen by an ingratiating producer (Safdie) with demons of his own. Anna Tingley, Variety, 10 Nov. 2023 The bird, without sauce, is an ingratiating bite, fragrant and slightly sweet with star anise, cinnamon, clove and cardamom. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023 Thus far, Harris has remained schtum on who will be wielding cantaloupes and dildos as members of his UK cast, but safe to say every theatrical agent in London is currently composing an ingratiating email to the playwright. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024 Having established himself as the life of every party and a source of delicious gossip, Capote ingratiated himself to the group, which rewarded him with their friendship and patronage. Brian Lowry, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024 Yet for all their gender-blending and onstage flash, Culture Club's neatest trick is producing its ambitious and undeniably ingratiating merging of American soul, Caribbean reggae and British New Wave. David Fricke, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024 Can a doll with an ingratiating smile, impossible curves and boobs ready for liftoff be a feminist icon? Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 19 July 2023 The employees wouldn’t be expected to know how to price prospective memorabilia at the start; Julien’s has 30-plus employees in Gardena, Calif., and some of them can offer that expertise as the new Nashville team gets its bearings and Julien’s, if its plan works, ingratiates itself in the market. Tom Roland, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ingratiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + Latin gratia grace

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingratiate was in 1621

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Dictionary Entries Near ingratiate

Cite this Entry

“Ingratiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingratiate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ingratiate

verb
in·​gra·​ti·​ate in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce ingratiate (audio)
ingratiated; ingratiating
: to gain favor or acceptance for by deliberate effort
quickly ingratiated herself with her new pupils
ingratiation noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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