ingratiate

verb

Definition of ingratiatenext
as in to appease
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.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ingratiate Unlike the original, Ludwig Kaiser is fluent in Spanish and used this to ingratiate himself into the culture of Lucha Libre. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 Dominguez never managed to ingratiate himself with the players and Lillo became detached. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 May 2026 When Buzzy disappeared, he was fully ingratiated with both communities. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026 Messages where Altman appears ingratiated to Musk seem to show that Musk did most of the heavy lifting when OpenAI was founded and therefore should be awarded damages up to $150 billion, which Musk intends to donate to OpenAI’s nonprofit. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ingratiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingratiate
  1. appease
  2. comfort
  3. console
Verb
  • But Reeves and Starmer faced criticism for some of their fiscal policies, such as increasing National Insurance — a kind of tax on employment — for businesses, and watering down welfare reforms to appease backbench lawmakers.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • In other words, Lander did not feel the need to appease the Zionist mob by softening his rhetoric.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of appease
Verb
  • The Gospel calls us not only to comfort those who mourn but also to protect the living.
    — Geri McGinn Kerger, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • Though the athlete left the city in 2000 to play soccer in Spain, the duo reconnected in 2005 when Messi flew home to comfort Roccuzzo after her best friend, Úrsula Notz, died in a car crash, according to Para Ti.
    — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of comfort
Verb
  • Instead of consoling Messi, his Argentine teammates were embroiled in a brawl.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Half a dozen Spanish players walked over to Messi after the final whistle to hug and console him.
    — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of console

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Cite this Entry

“Ingratiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingratiate. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ingratiate

Nglish: Translation of ingratiate for Spanish Speakers

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