verb
C2
Proficient
ingratiate
Ingratiate (verb) means to try to win someone's favour, often by flattering them.
verb
1
To try to win someone's favour, often by flattering them.
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is trying to crawl out from under its rock and ingratiate itself as an "equal opportunity employer" and a friend of progressive movements."
— Roanne Hindin, FBI: Not A Fashion Statement (1991)
"He ingratiated himself with the Kurdish bloc when he stood up to aggressive Turkish rhetoric about the Kurdish border in May."
— Brian T. Bennett, Why Maliki Is Still Around (2007)
2
(old use) To make something seem appealing, or to speak well of it.
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Etymology
First recorded in 1622, this word comes from Italian ingraziare or Medieval Latin *ingratiatus, itself from Latin in grātiam (‘for the favor of’).
Related words
Rhymes for ingratiate
See all rhymes for ingratiate →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of ingratiate?
"ingratiate" (verb) means to try to win someone's favour, often by flattering them.
What is the opposite of ingratiate?
Opposites of "ingratiate" include estrange, alienate.
What are the different meanings of ingratiate?
"ingratiate" has 2 main meanings: 1. To try to win someone's favour, often by flattering them; 2. (old use) To make something seem appealing, or to speak well of it.
