WordGarden.ioingratiatingly
C2Pronunciation
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Meanings
Adverb
in an overly eager or flattering way meant to gain favor
Beyond the definition
Imagine someone laying the charm on a little too thick, smiling too quickly, agreeing too eagerly, and praising someone a bit more than feels natural. That is often how someone acts ingratiatingly. It means behaving in a way meant to win approval, affection, or favor, usually through flattery or overly pleasant behavior.
The word often suggests that there is a motive behind the friendliness. It is not just simple kindness. It usually feels a little forced, a little calculated, or a little too eager to please. For example, a coworker might speak ingratiatingly to the boss before asking for a favor, or a politician might smile ingratiatingly at voters during a campaign.
To act ingratiatingly means to behave in a way that is carefully designed to win someone's favor or goodwill. The behavior is usually warm, polite, agreeable, or flattering on the surface, but it often feels excessive. Instead of sounding natural, it gives the impression that the person is trying hard to be liked.
What matters most is the sense of purpose behind the behavior. A person who acts ingratiatingly is usually not just being friendly for its own sake. They often seem to want something: approval, trust, a reward, a favor, or some other advantage. That is why the word often carries a slightly negative tone. It suggests charm used as a strategy.
You might use it for someone who praises the boss right before making a request, laughs at every joke from an important guest, or speaks in an overly sweet way to calm someone down and stay in their good graces. A server, employee, student, politician, salesperson, or stranger could all be described this way if their friendliness seems too polished or too eager.
The word is commonly used with actions like smile, speak, nod, behave, or offer help. For example: "He smiled ingratiatingly as he asked for an extension." Or: "She laughed ingratiatingly at his stories, clearly hoping to stay on his good side." In short, ingratiatingly describes behavior that is pleasant on the outside but often feels a little too eager, a little too smooth, and a little too clearly aimed at winning favor.
Examples
- 1
Sales tactic
The salesman smiled ingratiatingly and called me by my first name.
- 2
Academic flattery
"You always explain things so clearly," he said ingratiatingly to the professor.
- 3
Workplace approval
She laughed ingratiatingly at every joke the boss told, even the bad ones.
See also
Similar
- obsequiously
- fawningly
- sycophantically
Shades of meaning
- flatteringly
- smarmily
- deferentially
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- smile ingratiatingly
- speak ingratiatingly
- behave ingratiatingly
Word family
Explore
- flattery
- people-pleasing
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ingratiatinglyadverb