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
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—
Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Fast food chains may require workers to make diners feel valued and welcome, and certainly many customers see merit in patronizing an establishment where service comes with a smile.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Or West Cork, Ireland, a wild and enchanting side of the island that visitors don’t often patronize, or Rabat, Morocco, which is rising as a cultural hub with new museums and a rockin’ summer music festival.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Sure, Pittsburgh Trauma being a teaching hospital naturally lends to scenes of literal instruction, but too often the show pushes past procedural necessity into something distractingly pedantic, even patronizing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Fast food chains may require workers to make diners feel valued and welcome, and certainly many customers see merit in patronizing an establishment where service comes with a smile.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Or West Cork, Ireland, a wild and enchanting side of the island that visitors don’t often patronize, or Rabat, Morocco, which is rising as a cultural hub with new museums and a rockin’ summer music festival.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Sure, Pittsburgh Trauma being a teaching hospital naturally lends to scenes of literal instruction, but too often the show pushes past procedural necessity into something distractingly pedantic, even patronizing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
-
There’s nothing condescending about defending migrants.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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This phrase is typically dismissive, condescending, and a little bit haughty, even when intended as humor.—
John Bowe,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Exile is what the ex-Hasid experiences when, in response to her secular beliefs, she is expelled from her ultra-Orthodox community and thrown into a new environment that speaks in a different language, uses a different currency, and endorses a different worldview.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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Preckwinkle declined to endorse Johnson for another mayoral term.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prior to his death, the actor channeled his personal experiences with the condition to portray a firefighter living with ALS on TV and advocated for legislation related to the condition.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The two discussed Dane's acting career, living with and advocating for ALS, but mostly, Dane's resilience through hardships and love for his family.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Superintendent Brian Yearwood originally proposed cutting academic instructional coaches as part of a plan to address a $188 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Knight will be at her now-fiancée’s 1500m race Friday to support Bowe.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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