ingratiating
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Calculated to please or gain favor: Describes behavior, speech, or mannerisms that are deliberately designed to make oneself liked or approved by others, often by being overly flattering or agreeable.
- Capable of winning favor: Describes a quality or characteristic that has the potential to make someone well-liked or to gain approval.
Usage and Examples
- Adjective:
- She gave him an ingratiating smile, hoping he would agree to her request.
- The politician's ingratiating tone during the interview was transparent to many viewers.
- His ingratiating manner made some colleagues suspicious of his motives.
Advanced Usage
- "Ingratiating oneself": This phrase describes the act of trying to gain favor or approval, often through deliberate effort.
- He was constantly ingratiating himself with the new manager by complimenting every decision.
Variants and Related Words
- Ingratiate (verb): To bring oneself into favor with someone by deliberate effort.
- He tried to ingratiate himself with the committee.
- Ingratiatingly (adverb): In a manner intended to gain favor.
- He smiled ingratiatingly at the potential client.
Synonyms
- Fawning: Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection.
- Obsequious: Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
- Sycophantic: Behaving or done in an obsequious way to gain advantage.
- Flattering: Full of praise and compliments, often to please.
Antonyms
- Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
- Brusque: Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.
- Disdainful: Showing contempt or lack of respect.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Butter someone up": To flatter or praise someone excessively, especially to gain a favor. This is a more informal idiom related to the concept of ingratiating behavior.
- He's just buttering you up so you'll help him with his project.
Adjective
- calculated to please or gain favor
- a smooth ingratiating manner
- capable of winning favor
- with open arms and an ingratiating smile