ingratiating

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adjective in·gra·ti·at·ing \ in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌā-tiŋ \

Definition of ingratiating

1 :capable of winning favor :pleasing

an ingratiating smile

2 :intended or adopted in order to gain favor :flattering

—

ingratiatingly

play \in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

See ingratiating defined for English-language learners

See ingratiating defined for kids

Examples of ingratiating in a Sentence

one of the orphans had a most ingratiating smile

Recent Examples of ingratiating from the Web

Rankin has a gift for ingratiating stage patter and the good vibes permeate the songs as well.

— chicagotribune.com, "Lollapalooza day three: Can we get an 'Amen' for Warpaint?," 5 Aug. 2017
Sater was skilled at deciphering financial fraud, and as is often the case, the same things that made him a successful criminal — his ingratiating charm, his street smarts, his ability to see all the angles — made him a very useful government asset.

— andrew rice, Daily Intelligencer, "The Original Russia Connection," 3 Aug. 2017
The role of a hectoring sideshow attraction is not the opera’s most ingratiating element, but this production puts a twist on it.

— micaela baranello, New York Times, "Review: A ‘Rake’s Progress’ for a Fame-Hungry Internet Age," 9 July 2017
The filmmaker's style does include its share of ingratiating remarks.

— Bloomberg.com, "Oliver Stone: Megyn Kelly Didn't Know Her Stuff With Putin," 7 June 2017
The filmmaker’s style does include its share of ingratiating remarks.

— Washington Post, "Oliver Stone: Megyn Kelly didn’t know her stuff with Putin," 7 June 2017
His ingratiating personality and insider knowledge led to work as a host on The Movie Channel from 1986 to 1993.

— the washington post, The Denver Post, "Robert Osborne, Turner Classic Movies host and film historian, dies at 84," 6 Mar. 2017
Such ingratiating laughs are even more common on late-night TV.

— jason zinoman, New York Times, "Why Do Comics Laugh at Their Own Jokes? It’s No Accident," 3 Mar. 2017
Andrew Knifer is smoothly charming and ingratiating as Bert Parks-like MC Frankie Cavalier while gently hyping the event, its sponsor, and the contestants.

— Orange County Register, "‘Pageant’ gently mocks American competition," 30 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ingratiating.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ingratiating

1655

ingratiating Synonyms

Synonyms

disarming, endearing, insinuating, winning, winsome

Antonyms

unendearing, uningratiating

Related Words

adorable, charming, likable (or likeable), lovable (also loveable); affecting, poignant, touching; adulatory, deferential, effusive, flattering, fulsome, groveling (or grovelling), kowtowing, obsequious, servile, sycophantic; drooling, oleaginous, slavering, slobbering; saccharine, soapy, sugary, unctuous

Near Antonyms

alienating, disaffecting, displeasing; repugnant, repulsive; arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, proud, scornful

INGRATIATING Defined for English Language Learners

ingratiating

play

adjective

Definition of ingratiating for English Language Learners

: intended to gain someone's favor or approval

INGRATIATING Defined for Kids

ingratiating

adjective in·gra·ti·at·ing \ in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌā-tiŋ \

Definition of ingratiating for Students

1 :pleasing

an ingratiating smile

2 :intended to gain someone's favor

ingratiating behavior

—

ingratiatingly

adverb

Learn More about ingratiating

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ingratiating Spanish Central: Translation of ingratiating Nglish: Translation of ingratiating for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ingratiating for Arabic speakers

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Examples of ingratiating in a Sentence

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First Known Use of ingratiating

ingratiating Synonyms

Synonyms

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INGRATIATING Defined for English Language Learners

ingratiating

Definition of ingratiating for English Language Learners

INGRATIATING Defined for Kids

ingratiating

Definition of ingratiating for Students

ingratiatingly

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