ingratiate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ingratiate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the verb "ingratiate" when you want to describe something or someone that wins favor with others through flattery or other tactics, essentially trying to become liked by someone or some group. Example sentence: She tried to ingratiate herself to the head of the company by putting in extra hours at work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Guys from his social background, sucking up to power – he'd do anything to ingratiate himself with some military officer.

The Guardian

Worst boss I've never had a bad boss; I ingratiate myself too much with ­people.

The Guardian - Money

They also ingratiate themselves with the west by performing "useful" services from time to time – most recently when some of them joined the military alliance against Isis.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is striking is how assiduously, even recklessly, Tory leaders sought to ingratiate themselves with executives of a particular mass media company.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far from doing that this time, both Labour and the Tories seem keen to ingratiate themselves with minority voters.

The Economist

Its young, billionaire founder, Yoshikazu Tanaka, has since tried to ingratiate himself with the establishment: he now appears in a suit, not a T-shirt.In all, much has to change before Japan becomes a kinder place for those trying to create businesses.

The Economist

Russian and foreign energy companies such as TNK-BP and Italy's Eni and Enel took part to ingratiate themselves with Rosneft and Gazprom, the gatekeepers of Russian resources.

The Economist

They have also tried to ingratiate themselves by helping out in Iraq.

The Economist

Estranged from Georgia's erstwhile master, Mr Saakashvili has striven to ingratiate himself with America.

The Economist

Politicians can rarely ingratiate themselves with the public for a second time.

The Economist

That thesis, in turn, is a variant on the theory that Republican congressmen, in spite of their distaste for immigration reform, might vote for it to ingratiate themselves with Latino voters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ingratiate", consider the potential negative connotations. While it describes an attempt to gain favor, it can imply insincerity or manipulation. Choose it when the context allows for a calculated effort to build rapport.

Common error

Avoid using "ingratiate" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can suggest a lack of genuine connection. Opt for more neutral terms like "connect", "engage", or "collaborate" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The verb "ingratiate" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. Ludwig confirms that this verb is used to describe the action of bringing oneself into favor with someone, often by flattery or seeking to please.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "ingratiate" describes the act of attempting to gain favor or acceptance, often through flattery or pleasing actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, "ingratiate" is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While it can carry negative connotations of insincerity, it can also reflect a genuine effort to build relationships. When using "ingratiate", it's important to be mindful of the context and potential implications of your word choice, ensuring that your intent is clear and your actions are perceived as sincere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingratiate oneself

This is a reflexive form of the original word, emphasizing the self-directed nature of the action.

ingratiate with

This variation focuses on the action of ingratiating oneself toward a specific person or group.

curry favor

This alternative implies seeking favor, often through flattery or ingratiating actions.

seek approval

This suggests an attempt to gain positive affirmation from someone.

gain favor

Focuses on the outcome of ingratiating behavior.

win over

Emphasizes persuading someone to one's side through charm or effort.

flatter

Implies using excessive praise to ingratiate oneself.

toady

Suggests extreme servility and flattery.

brown-nose

A more informal and pejorative term for ingratiating oneself.

suck up to

A colloquial and negative way to describe ingratiating behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "ingratiate" in a sentence?

You can use "ingratiate" to describe the act of trying to gain someone's favor, often through flattery or pleasing behavior. For instance, "He tried to ingratiate himself with the boss by always agreeing with her opinions."

What's a more formal synonym for "ingratiate"?

While "ingratiate" is already fairly formal, you could consider using phrases like "cultivate a relationship" or "foster goodwill" in contexts where you want to avoid any suggestion of manipulation.

What is the difference between "ingratiate" and "flatter"?

"Flatter" implies excessive and often insincere praise, while "ingratiate" encompasses a broader range of actions aimed at gaining favor. You can flatter someone to "ingratiate oneself", but ingratiation can also involve acts of service or agreement.

Is it always bad to try to "ingratiate" yourself with someone?

Not necessarily. While "ingratiate" can have negative connotations of manipulation, it can also describe a genuine effort to build positive relationships. The key is whether your actions are sincere and respectful.