ing-GRAY-shee-ay-ting
/ˌɪŋˈɡɹeɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/
Ingratiating is pronounced ing-GRAY-shee-ay-ting (/ˌɪŋˈɡɹeɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/). Ingratiating is an adjective describing behavior that is intended to gain favor or approval through flattery or sycophantic charm. It conveys a self-serving, eager-to-please quality, often highlighting insincere or overly deferential speech or actions. In usage, it suggests manipulation or strategic friendliness rather than genuine warmth.
adjectiveIngratiating is an adjective describing behavior that is intended to gain favor or approval through flattery or sycophantic charm. It conveys a self-serving, eager-to-please quality, often highlighting insincere or overly deferential speech or actions. In usage, it suggests manipulation or strategic friendliness rather than genuine warmth.
- You may default to a flat 'ing' ending or drop the /Ƀ/ rhythm; keep the -ing as a crisp /ɪŋ/ to signal the gerundive ending. - The /eɪ/ vowel in /ˈɡreɪ/ can become more like /ɛ/ or /eə/ if you rush; keep it as a clear diphthong /eɪ/. - The /ɡr/ cluster should not be separated; keep them together as /ɡr/.
"Her ingratiating smiles and compliments felt insincere to everyone in the room."
"The salesperson adopted an ingratiating tone to influence the hesitant customer."
"They relied on ingratiating behavior to secure votes from skeptical colleagues."
Break it as in-GRAY-shee-AY-ting (IPA US: ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ). Primary stress on the second syllable: GREY. The sequence -tiating sounds like -shee-ating, with the phoneme /ʃ/ followed by /iː/ or /eɪ/ before the final -tɪŋ. Mouth positions: start with a short i /ɪ/ leading into the stressed /ɡreɪ/ cluster, keep the /n/ alveolar nasal, then reduce the unstressed syllables quickly. Audio reference: you can compare to pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish for natural speed. Practicing slowly with mouth mirror helps align tongue blade for /ʃ/ and /eɪ/.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting primary stress on the first or third syllable), mispronouncing the -ti- portion as /tɪˈeɪ/ or /tiˈeɪ/ instead of /tɪˈeɪ/; or flattening the /ɡr/ blend into separate sounds. Correction: keep the /ɡr/ cluster tight, stress the second syllable /ˈɡreɪ/ and pronounce the /ʃ/ clearly before /iˌeɪ/; ensure the final -ing is a clear /ɪŋ/, not a reduced vowel. Listen to native audio and practice with minimal pairs like ingratiate vs ingratiating to feel the rhythm.
US US: /ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/, rhotic with a clear /ɹ/ in some speakers and a strong /eɪ/ diphthong in /greɪ/. UK: non-rhotic tendency after vowels; /ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/ with slightly shorter /æ/ or more centralized vowel; AU: similar to US but with a slightly broader vowel quality and faster pace in casual speech. Across all, the stress remains on the second syllable, but vowel quality of /æ/ vs /eɪ/ can shift subtly. Use IPA references when training imitation.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the /ɡr/ cluster preceding a tricky /iˌeɪ/ sequence, followed by a lighter -tɪŋ ending. The combination of a stressed diphthong /eɪ/ and the following /tɪŋ/ can trip learners up if they over-articulate the -ing or misplace the stress, causing the word to feel slowed or garbled. Focus on the steady, secondary stress guiding the syllable rhythm and practice blending /ˈɡreɪ/ into /ʃi/ smoothly.
No silent letters in standard pronunciation. Every letter contributes to the syllabic rhythm: in- (unstressed), gra- (stressed), ci- (unstressed), -at- (unstressed), -ing (unstressed ending). The /t/ is audible in careful speech before the -ing, but in rapid speech it may assimilate softly. Keep the t clear to delineate the syllables, especially the -ating part. IPA cues help maintain clarity.
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- US: rhoticity often preserves /ɹ/; the /eɪ/ sound is prominent; some speakers reduce unstressed vowels more, so practice keeping the second syllable strong. - UK: less rhotic influence; may have slightly more clipped vowels in rapid speech; /ɪ/ in initial could be shorter; - AU: tends to be broader vowels; maintain distinct /ɡr/ cluster and a clear /eɪ/; overall speed increases. Use IPA as reference and shadow native speakers.
Ingratiating derives from the Late Latin ingratiāre, meaning to make oneself agreeable, from Latin gratus (pleasing, agreeable) and ad- (toward) with the prefix in- suggesting inward movement or effort. The root gratus appears in English in gratify, gratitude, grateful. The transitional form ingratiating entered English in the 17th–18th centuries, initially describing acts intended to please or win favor. Over time, the sense sharpened toward intentional, often calculated charm used to influence others, sometimes with a pejorative nuance. The modern sense emphasizes the performative, self-serving nature of the demeanor, rather than a spontaneous friendliness. Historical usage appears in moralistic or satirical contexts when critiquing political or social pretenses. First known written uses appear in prose and poetry of the early 18th century, with later expansion into common speech in formal critique of interpersonal manipulation. The word’s suffix -ing marks ongoing or characteristic action, aligning with other present participle adjectives. Etymology reflects a trajectory from generic “making agreeable” to a pointed, possibly disingenuous, social tactic in contemporary English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ingratiating" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Ingratiating"
-ing sounds
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