ingratiate
C1Formal, sometimes pejorative in tone.
Definition
Meaning
To bring oneself into favour with someone through deliberate, often flattering, efforts.
To establish oneself in the good graces of another person, typically through calculated, pleasing behavior designed to gain approval or acceptance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This verb is almost always used reflexively with "oneself" (e.g., to ingratiate oneself). It implies a strategic or manipulative intent, rather than genuine, spontaneous friendship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or syntax.
Connotations
Commonly carries a negative or cynical connotation in both varieties, implying insincerity or opportunism.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both formal and journalistic contexts. Possibly slightly more common in British political or social commentary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] ingratiate [Reflexive Pronoun] with [Recipient]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Brown-nose (vulgar)”
- “Apple-polish (US)”
- “Lick someone's boots”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes strategic networking or efforts to impress senior management, often viewed cynically.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and literature to analyse character motivation or social climbing.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used to describe someone being overly flattering or manipulative.
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new intern tried to ingratiate himself with the directors by always staying late.
- Her ingratiating tone was transparent to everyone in the office.
American English
- The lobbyist worked to ingratiate himself with key lawmakers.
- She had an ingratiating smile that put some people on edge.
adjective
British English
- He adopted an ingratiating manner that his colleagues found rather off-putting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She tried to ingratiate herself with the new boss.
- The politician's attempts to ingratiate himself with young voters were widely seen as insincere.
- He realised that flattery was not the best way to ingratiate himself with his stern professor.
- Rather than ingratiating himself through obsequious behavior, he earned respect by demonstrating his competence.
- The memoir revealed how the author had systematically ingratiated herself with the literary elite to advance her career.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IN + GRATitude. You try to get IN by showing excessive GRATitude (flattery).
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL FAVOUR IS A COMMODITY TO BE ACQUIRED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with simple "to please" or "to like". "Ingratiate" is strategic and self-serving. The Russian verb "втереться в доверие" captures the negative nuance well, while "нравиться" does not.
Common Mistakes
- Using it non-reflexively (e.g., 'He ingratiated the boss' is wrong). Confusing it with 'integrate'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'ingratiate' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but it usually carries a negative or cynical connotation, implying the action is calculated and not genuine. In rare neutral uses, it simply means to make oneself accepted.
Yes, the verb is almost exclusively used reflexively. The pattern is "to ingratiate oneself with someone".
The related noun is 'ingratiation' (the act of ingratiating). The adjective is 'ingratiating'.
'Endear' suggests a more genuine, likable quality that naturally makes people fond of you. 'Ingratiate' implies a deliberate, often manipulative, strategy to gain favour.
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