1
as in to condescend
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
a director with an unpleasant habit of patronizing even his most gifted actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to endorse
to promote the interests or cause of
a company that loyally patronizes the arts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patronize
Staff are well-trained and proactive without being patronizing, and the hotel’s smaller scale makes navigation easy.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
As that reopening date nears, some longtime residents have waxed nostalgic over its legacy as a beacon of entertainment in a community that was barred from patronizing other theaters in North Texas.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
According to a press release, more than 82 million passengers patronized Denver's airport.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
As that reopening date nears, some longtime residents have waxed nostalgic over its legacy as a beacon of entertainment in a community that was barred from patronizing other theaters in North Texas.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
According to a press release, more than 82 million passengers patronized Denver's airport.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
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Being condescending, far from being a virtue, is universally acknowledged as a vice.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
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But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has endorsed a GOP primary challenger to Massie, Ed Gallrein.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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Fuentes has offered Fishback’s more positive poll results as proof of the strength of his own following, the Groypers, while declining to endorse him in an effort to stanch the candidate’s toxicity.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The 29-year-old is now set to compete in her second Winter Paralympics and is advocating for the next generation of athletes.—
Elissa Candiotti,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Despite some of the forest being removed, the group continued to advocate for the forest for several years until the movement started to die off around 2022, Nichols said.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Idaho lawmakers are trying to balance the budget this year after cutting over $450 million in revenue in 2025.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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One piece of legislation that's drawn a lot of attention is a resolution that could have cut property taxes for homeowners by 75% or more through a state constitutional amendment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mahan, who recently entered the race and is supported by Silicon Valley leaders, has quickly raised millions of dollars, as have two independent expenditures committees backing his bid.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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According to a preliminary survey conducted by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) this week, 81% of the Israeli public supports the Iran strikes, while 63% of those surveyed believe the campaign should continue until the Iranian regime falls.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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