ingratiate
verb
in·gra·ti·ate in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌāt 
ingratiated; ingratiating
transitive verb
: to gain favor or favorable acceptance for by deliberate effort —usually used with with
ingratiate themselves with the community leaders
William Attwood
William Attwood ingratiation
in-ˌgrā-shē-ˈā-shən
noun ingratiatory
in-ˈgrā-sh(ē-)ə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective 
Did you know?
17th-century English speakers combined the Latin noun gratia, meaning "grace" or "favor," with the English prefix in- to create the verb ingratiate. When you ingratiate yourself, you are putting yourself in someone's good graces to gain their approval or favor. English words related to ingratiate include gratis and gratuity. Both of these reflect something done or given as a favor through the good graces of the giver.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web While well-liked by many film and TV producers, Chapek has struggled to ingratiate himself in an industry of fragile egos. Ryan Faughnderstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2022 Under an assumed identity, the protagonist tries to ingratiate himself with Aspern’s widow and daughter, and in the course of the ruse acts abominably. Ada Calhoun, The Atlantic, 11 July 2022 Chapek has struggled to ingratiate himself with Hollywood’s notoriously clubby culture of creatives and the reporters who cover them. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2022 Kaiser Time partnered with dozens of companies over the years and was considered a go-to organization for anyone wanting to ingratiate themselves into the luxury watch market. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 22 May 2022 Prosecutors now fear the men used the company as part of a scheme to ingratiate themselves with real members of the U.S. Secret Service at the Crossing. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2022 Every spring new college football coaches, whether they were fired and got another job or left for greener pastures, attempt to ingratiate themselves with new fan bases. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022 But Subramanian says that with a whole new season of The Kardashians ahead of us, there’s plenty of time for Kim to ingratiate herself again with her consumer base. Cady Lang, Time, 15 Apr. 2022 Federal prosecutors are investigating the money trail behind two men accused of posing as federal agents to ingratiate themselves with Secret Service officers, the government told a judge Friday. Alexa Corse, WSJ, 8 Apr. 2022 See More
Ryan Faughnderstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2022 Under an assumed identity, the protagonist tries to ingratiate himself with Aspern’s widow and daughter, and in the course of the ruse acts abominably. Ada Calhoun, The Atlantic, 11 July 2022 Chapek has struggled to ingratiate himself with Hollywood’s notoriously clubby culture of creatives and the reporters who cover them. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2022 Kaiser Time partnered with dozens of companies over the years and was considered a go-to organization for anyone wanting to ingratiate themselves into the luxury watch market. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 22 May 2022 Prosecutors now fear the men used the company as part of a scheme to ingratiate themselves with real members of the U.S. Secret Service at the Crossing. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2022 Every spring new college football coaches, whether they were fired and got another job or left for greener pastures, attempt to ingratiate themselves with new fan bases. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022 But Subramanian says that with a whole new season of The Kardashians ahead of us, there’s plenty of time for Kim to ingratiate herself again with her consumer base. Cady Lang, Time, 15 Apr. 2022 Federal prosecutors are investigating the money trail behind two men accused of posing as federal agents to ingratiate themselves with Secret Service officers, the government told a judge Friday. Alexa Corse, WSJ, 8 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
in- entry 2 + Latin gratia grace
First Known Use
1621, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
ingratiate
verb
in·gra·ti·ate in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌāt
ingratiated; ingratiating
: to gain favor for by effort
He ingratiates himself with teachers by being helpful.
ingratiated
verb
as in appeased
often disapproving to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by doing or saying things that people like She has tried to ingratiate herself with voters by promising a tax cut. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- appeased
- consoled
- comforted
- placated
- satisfied
- pacified
- mollified
- conciliated
- contented
- disarmed
- soothed
- humored
- indulged
- assuaged
- gratified
- calmed
- propitiated
- quieted
- gladdened
- delighted
- pleased
- cajoled
- coaxed
- satiated
- adulated
- flattered
- tranquilized
- tranquillized
- wheedled
- hushed
- overpraised
- gentled
- sated
- kowtowed
- endeared (to)
- mollycoddled
- pampered
- quenched
- coddled
- sweet-talked
- sweetened
- toadied
- spoiled
- blarneyed
- blandished
- catered (to)
- babied
- spoilt
- truckled
- dulcified
- soft-soaped
- apple-polished
- bootlicked
- fussed
- sucked (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- antagonized
- annoyed
- got
- rankled
- riled
- aggravated
- irked
- vexed
- piqued
- crossed
- bothered
- irritated
- chafed
- provoked
- roused
- exasperated
- nettled
- roiled
- burned (up)
- galled
- bugged
- peeved
- grated
- harassed
- burnt (up)
- put out
- pestered
- persecuted
- harried
- disturbed
- insulted
- upset
- perturbed
- ruffled
- agitated
- worried
- offended
- unsettled
- unhinged
- slighted
- vext
- distressed
- fretted
- affronted
- infuriated
- angered
- incensed
- enraged
- discomforted
- outraged
- inflamed
- maddened
- ired
- enflamed