ingratiating

/ɪnˈɡreɪʃieɪtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪŋɡrˈeʃiˌetɪŋ] /ɪnˈɡreɪʃieɪtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪŋɡrˈeʃiˌetɪŋ] /in-ˈgrā-shē-ˌā-tiŋ How to pronounce ingratiating (audio)/ (ame, mw)

ingratiating — adjective

  • ingratiatingpositive
  • more ingratiatingcomparative
  • most ingratiatingsuperlative

1. showing friendliness or agreement in a way that seems designed to gain approval

1.形容詞C2
釋義

showing friendliness or agreement in a way that seems designed to gain approval or some advantage

例句

The candidate gave the director an ingratiating laugh at every weak joke.

ingratiating + noun for forced approval

Vikram's ingratiating emails to the board became more frequent before promotion week.

behavior aimed at people with influence

同義詞
  • flattering

    focuses on praise, while ingratiating can include a whole manner

  • smarmy

    more informal and more openly negative

  • obsequious

    stronger and more formal, with clear submissiveness

反義詞
  • sincere

    showing genuine feeling rather than calculated approval-seeking

  • blunt

    direct and not shaped to please other people

文法句型

an ingratiating smile

an ingratiating tone

be ingratiating toward someone

用法筆記

Usually critical. It often describes a person's smile, tone, praise, or manner when they seem to be trying to win approval from someone who has power, money, or influence.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher gave an ingratiating lesson about fractions.
✅The teacher gave a helpful lesson about fractions.
💡'Ingratiating' describes a person or manner trying to win favor, not ordinary teaching content.

2. pleasant and socially smooth in a way that quickly makes other people feel warm

2.形容詞C2
釋義

pleasant and socially smooth in a way that quickly makes other people feel warm toward you

例句

Rachel's warm, ingratiating voice calmed the parents in the waiting room.

ingratiating voice that wins trust quickly

The puppy's ingratiating face won over even the neighbor who hates noise.

describes a naturally favor-winning appearance

同義詞
  • charming

    broader and often more openly positive

  • winning

    suggests immediate likability without implying strategy

  • appealing

    broader and less tied to social effect

反義詞
  • off-putting

    making other people feel less friendly or comfortable

  • unappealing

    failing to attract interest or affection

文法句型

an ingratiating voice

an ingratiating grin

have an ingratiating way of doing something

用法筆記

Often used of a face, smile, voice, or manner that draws people in easily. Unlike sense 1, the emphasis here is the favorable effect, not necessarily a hidden motive.

常見錯誤

❌The report was ingratiating because the charts were clear.
✅The report was appealing because the charts were clear.
💡This sense is mainly used for people, expressions, voices, or manners that win people over.