ingratiate
verb
William Attwood
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When you ingratiate yourself, you put yourself in someone’s good graces in order to gain their approval or favor. While the word ingratiate does not necessarily imply that your behavior is obsequious or otherwise improper, the word may be used disapprovingly by those who distrust your motives. The word entered English in the early 1600s from the combining of the Latin noun gratia, meaning “grace” or “favor,” with the English prefix in-. Gratia comes from the adjective gratus, meaning “pleasing, grateful.” Gratus has, over the centuries, ingratiated itself well with the English language as the ancestor of a whole host of words including gratuitous, congratulate, and grace.
Examples of ingratiate in a Sentence
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
While Carter is getting ingratiated into defensive coordinator Shane Bowen's schemes, edge rusher Brian Burns is having a marvelous season for New York.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Reporters would infiltrate and ingratiate in search of scoops.
—Jon Landau, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
At one point, Oliver suggests that Mable take Camila a gift to ingratiate herself with the woman who is trying to take over their building, to get some insight into her plans.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ingratiate
Cite this Entry
“Ingratiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingratiate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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ingratiate
verb
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