ingratiating
1
7.3
- adjective
- /ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/
:
adulador
- That was why, when he hurried to the lobby to answer the persistent ring of the doorbell, his annoyed scowl was quickly replaced by an ingratiating twist of his mouth.
- an ingratiating smile
Examples
-
At the end of the day, literally, the interviewers are just people like yourself that you might have a pint with down the pub, and coming across friendly and open while not overly ingratiating works well.
Blog text (33) -
His ingratiating comments about the manager's recent success seemed a bit too eager.
-
He tried a more ingratiating approach.
Fiction book (1990) -
In terms of his person, he was a handsome, ingratiating man, gifted with a face filled with force and charm.
Academic text (2000) -
I stood there with my hand on the doorknob, recognized her ingratiating, anxious smile, and knew what she meant.
Fiction book (1994) -
Hardly an ingratiating way for a home government man to present himself in a delicate mission to the Surat Khan.
-
"In fact, I don't mind telling you, McMurdo," proceeded Harold Pickering, still in that genial and ingratiating manner, "that I shall watch your future progress with considerable interest."
Fiction book (1998) -
Her disposition was never predictable; she was alternately sullen, buoyant, rude, or ingratiating. But during those weeks, she did seem, gradually, to have forgiven him for whatever it was she imagined he had done to ruin her chances for the internship.
Fiction book (1991) -
She used an ingratiating tone to persuade her boss to approve the project.
-
The salesman had an ingratiating manner that made customers feel at ease.
Synonyms
57
4.2
Giving praise that is too much and not sincere to gain someone's favor
1
7.5
Acting in a soft, sly way to win someone's trust
Trying to please someone to get their approval, often not sincere
Being too friendly and praising someone important to get favor
Antonyms
How Eager
Surface Forms
Morphology
ingratiating = ingratiate (semi-transparent) = ingratiate + ing
Standard present-participle/adjectival formation from the verb 'ingratiate' (verb + -ing) indicating an action or characteristic of trying to gain favor.
Etymology
Ingratiating comes from the Latin parts in- ('into') and gratia ('favor' or 'thanks') and has the same root as grateful. So an ingratiating person tries to get 'into favor' with someone, which is why they often seem too friendly or not sincere.