Definition

1. 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

1. calculated to please or gain favor
   • a smooth ingratiating manner
2. capable of winning favor
   • with open arms and an ingratiating smile