ingratiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ingratiating" is both correct and usable in written English.
It means to gain favor or approval through flattery or excessive compliments. You can use it when you are describing someone (usually in a negative sense) who is trying to gain favor through charm or compliments. Example sentence: She used an overly ingratiating tone of voice in an attempt to win over her boss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of watching events unfold at the Stadio Olimpico this boyhood Roma fan who won the Coppa Italia with Lazio will be ingratiating himself into English footballing culture, a transition he has been attempting to hasten since his appointment as Leyton Orient manager in December.

The Guardian - Sport

Plus he used the repertoire of rhetorical tricks (self-deprecation, early, ingratiating humour and so on) that seem obvious but that many politicians somehow can't manage.

The Economist

Ms Beckett was similarly ingratiating, talking about how all MPs came to Westminster to serve the public not themselves: that "all" is at the least a little questionable.Miss Widdecombe was the most robust of that quartet.

The Economist

To the degree that peace talks with Israel would ease Mr Assad's isolation and ingratiating himself with the West may well be the cynical extent of Mr Assad's intentions they might indeed complicate America's present strategic calculations in the Middle East.If you are a superpower, however, your strategy has a habit of changing, along with conditions, regimes and fashion.

The Economist

But by the new century he was ingratiating himself.

The Economist

Visitors to the Ashmolean museum in Oxford may ponder the extraordinary unfairness: how many other "ambitious, ingratiating" social climbers have stolen so completely a hero's legacy?Modernity, and the luxury it created (initially for a few, then for many) made earthly abundance seem within reach.

The Economist

To avoid that fate, which means an eight-year bar from office, he resigned.Mr Magalhaes's career was based on ingratiating himself with, and then manipulating, whoever was in power.

The Economist

Palace observers say this prompted politicians including some of Sihanouk's former enemies to seize control of the funeral arrangements, in the hope of ingratiating themselves with the electorate.

The Economist

Invoking Churchill, he was warm about America and sounded resolute over Iraq and al-Qaeda: in an interview for American television, he said the fight with terrorism was "a struggle for the soul of the 21st century"—an ingratiating phrase, even if it was borrowed from Bill Clinton.

The Economist

But they may also hope that by ingratiating themselves with the Kremlin, they will get preferential treatment in future joint projects.Russia, like other oil-rich countries in the Middle East and Latin America, has become increasingly hostile to foreign investment in the oil sector in recent years.

The Economist

His manners were suave and ingratiating.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ingratiating" when you want to convey a sense of insincerity or excessive flattery in someone's attempt to gain favor. Be mindful of the negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "ingratiating" in formal or professional settings where a neutral or objective tone is expected. Opt for more professional and respectful language.

Linguistic Context

Ingratiating primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that attempts to bring oneself into favor, often using flattery or insincerity. Ludwig examples show its use in describing smiles, humour, and manners.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "ingratiating" describes behavior intended to gain favor, often through flattery or insincerity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable, generally carrying a negative connotation. It appears frequently in news and media sources, as well as encyclopedias, suggesting a Neutral register. While not overly formal, it's essential to use "ingratiating" judiciously, avoiding overuse in formal contexts where objectivity is paramount. Related terms include "fawning", "sycophantic", and "obsequious", each adding subtle nuances of meaning. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively convey skepticism or disapproval regarding someone's motives. Use "ingratiating" carefully to convey insincerity and excessive flattery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingratiatory

Direct synonym, but less commonly used.

fawning

Implies excessive flattery and obsequiousness, often to a distasteful degree.

sycophantic

Suggests a self-seeking attempt to win favor from influential people by flattery.

obsequious

Highlights a servile and excessively compliant attitude.

flattering

Focuses on the use of compliments, which may or may not be sincere.

servile

Emphasizes a lack of independence and excessive willingness to please.

wheedling

Suggests using flattery and coaxing to persuade someone.

submissive

Implies a yielding attitude, often in a position of inferiority.

complimentary

Refers to expressing politeness or admiration, which may not necessarily be insincere.

bootlicking

A highly informal and negative term for extreme flattery.

FAQs

How to use "ingratiating" in a sentence?

You can use "ingratiating" to describe behavior intended to gain someone's favor. For example: "His "ingratiating manner" made it difficult to trust his sincerity."

What's the difference between "ingratiating" and "flattering"?

"Ingratiating" implies an attempt to gain favor, often with insincerity, while "flattering" simply means offering compliments or praise. "Ingratiating" usually has a more negative connotation than "flattering".

What are some synonyms for "ingratiating"?

Alternatives to "ingratiating" include "fawning", "sycophantic", and "obsequious", each carrying varying degrees of negative connotations.

When is it appropriate to use the word "ingratiating"?

It is appropriate to use "ingratiating" when describing someone's behavior that seems calculated to win favor, often through excessive charm or flattery, especially when you suspect insincerity.