ingratiator
Sycophantic approval chaser
An ingratiator is someone who deliberately cultivates favor with others, typically through flattery, excessive agreeableness, or calculated charm.
The word carries a negative connotation—an ingratiator's friendliness feels strategic rather than genuine: He's such an ingratiator, always laughing at the boss's terrible jokes.
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
- brownnoserServile flatterer seeking favor
lickspittle · apple-polisher · yes-man · groveler · flunky · lackey · minion · hanger-on
One dispensing insincere praise
- complimenterOne who praises another
- adulatorOne who praises excessively
- praiserOne who commends
- sweet-talkerOne who flatters persuasively
smooth-talker · eulogist · gusher · charmer · wheedler · cajoler · honey-tongued · silver-tongued
Excessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
unctuous · deferential · slavish · cringing · sycophantic · bootlicking · adulatory · meek
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
brownnoser · lickspittle · apple-polisher · yes-man · groveler · flunky · lackey · minion · hanger-on · follower
flatterer
One dispensing insincere praise
- complimenterOne who praises another
- adulatorOne who praises excessively
- praiserOne who commends
sweet-talker · smooth-talker · eulogist · gusher · charmer · wheedler · cajoler · honey-tongued · silver-tongued · schmoozer
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
obsequious · unctuous · deferential · slavish · cringing · sycophantic · bootlicking · adulatory · meek · submissive
calculating
Coldly self-serving in strategy
artful · guileful · insidious · wily · conniving · crafty · sly · strategic · underhanded · machinating
charming
Pleasantly attractive in manner
- affableWarm and approachable
- amiableGood-natured and likable
- engagingPleasantly attractive, compelling attention
winsome · charismatic · suave · genial · likeable · endearing · personable · disarming · winning · courteous
ingratiatorantagonist
One who opposes another
alienator · provocateur · agitator · critic · detractor
ingratiatorstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
truth-teller · honest broker · true friend · straight talker · genuine article
ingratiatorpatron
Regular supporter or customer
benefactor · kingmaker · power broker · mentor · grantor
ingratiate, ingratiating, ingratiation, ingratiatory, ingratiated, ingratiates, ingratiations