ingratiates
Seeks approval sycophantically
Ingratiates means works to gain favor, typically through deliberate charm or flattery.
Someone who ingratiates themselves with a boss or powerful figure is cultivating goodwill, often with self-interested motives: He ingratiated himself with the committee by remembering everyone's birthday.
The word carries a slightly negative connotation—suggesting the effort is calculating rather than genuine.
Excessive insincere flattery
- sycophancyObsequious behavior toward authority
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- toadyismServile flattery seeking favor
- obsequiousnessServile eagerness to please
brownnosing · apple-polishing · sweet-talk · kowtowing · groveling · smarm · soft-soap · crawling
Crafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
opportunistic · disingenuous · strategic · ulterior · agenda · exploitation · maneuvering · covert
Allaying suspicion through warmth
- affabilityWarm, friendly disposition
- likabilityQuality of being pleasant
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- smooth-talkingCharmingly persuasive in speech
persuasion · wooing · courting · endearing · appealing · beguiling · captivating · rapport-building
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- sycophancyObsequious behavior toward authority
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- toadyismServile flattery seeking favor
obsequiousness · brownnosing · apple-polishing · sweet-talk · kowtowing · groveling · smarm · soft-soap · crawling · compliments
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
self-serving · opportunistic · disingenuous · strategic · ulterior · agenda · exploitation · maneuvering · covert · deceptive
disarming
Allaying suspicion through warmth
- affabilityWarm, friendly disposition
- likabilityQuality of being pleasant
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
smooth-talking · persuasion · wooing · courting · endearing · appealing · beguiling · captivating · rapport-building
ingratiatesalienates
Causes emotional withdrawal
antagonizes · offends · repels · estranges · distances
ingratiatesshows true colors
ingratiatesasserts oneself
Declares one's position firmly
defies · rebels · challenges · resists