What does ingratiation mean?
Ingratiation is the deliberate use of flattery, charm, or pleasing behavior to gain another person's favor, approval, or support. It commonly describes a strategy or social performance rather than a single compliment: a politician ingratiates himself with donors, or a visitor ingratiates a host with excessive attention and praise. The word usually carries a negative or ironic connotation because ingratiation is associated with insincerity, opportunism, and an unequal effort to secure influence. It can, however, be used less pejoratively when the behavior is understood as socially graceful or as part of conventional courtesy. Ingratiation is especially useful when the user wants to distinguish calculated efforts to win favor from sincere affection, straightforward persuasion, or ordinary politeness. Its long history also makes it a vivid example of how language can make covert social behavior visible: it names not merely saying something pleasant, but making oneself agreeable for personal advantage.
nounThe act or practice of trying to gain someone's favor, approval, or support by flattering them or making oneself pleasing. It often implies excessive, calculated, or insincere behavior.
- The deliberate use of flattery, charm, or pleasing behavior to gain someone's favor, approval, or support, especially when the behavior is excessive or insincere.
"Through persistent ingratiation, he gained the trust of the company's directors."
"Through persistent ingratiation, he gained the trust of the company's directors."
"The young diplomat relied on ingratiation rather than straightforward negotiation."
Rarely used; usually refers to separate acts or instances of ingratiation.
"The witnesses described his repeated ingratiations as calculated and excessive."
Ingratiation is the art of making yourself agreeable enough for someone to grant you their favor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ingratiation come from?
The word dates from the early 17th century and comes from Latin ingratiātiōn, a noun of action derived from ingratiārī, meaning to make oneself acceptable or gain favor. This Latin verb combines the prefix in- with grātia, referring to favor, thanks, or pleasure. English cognates and related formations include grateful, gratitude, gracious, and gratify.
Related word forms
How ingratiation is actually used
Usually formal and generally disapproving or ironic. It implies calculated efforts to win favor, often through excessive praise, attention, or flattery, although it can be used less negatively for socially accommodating behavior.
Easily confused with ingratiation
Ingratiation is the noun for the behavior or process, while ingratiate is the verb for gaining someone's favor by making oneself pleasing.