Definition of PATRONIZE

Other Words from patronize

patronization \ˌpā-trə-nə-ˈzā-shən,

ˌpa- \ noun

patronizingly \ˈpā-trə-ˌnī-ziŋ-lē,

ˈpa- \ adverb

What Does patronize Mean?

The various meanings of patronize can easily be distinguished if you consider which sense of patron they allude to. Patronize in the sense “to provide aid or support for” refers to the sort of patron who gives money or assistance. Such a person might, for example, patronize the arts. A second sense of patronize involves the kind of patron who is “a frequent or regular customer” of a business – someone, for example, who patronizes a store. A third use of patronize carries a distinctively negative meaning: “to adopt an air of condescension toward.” This sense presumably developed from the idea of a wealthy and powerful patron who adopts a superior attitude towards his (or her) dependent. Nowadays, someone who patronizes (or whose behavior is patronizing) in this sense more often expresses a sense of moral or intellectual than of social superiority.

What Is the Difference Between condescending and patronizing?

Very few words in English have exactly the same meaning; even words which appear to be entirely synonymous often will be found to have small differences in certain contexts. The words condescending and patronizing present a fine example of this. At first glance these words appear to be defined somewhat circularly: condescending often has the word "patronizing" in its definition, and patronize is defined, in part, as “to adopt an air of condescension toward.”

But both of these words have specialized senses that lend a shade of meaning to their synonymous senses. Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship.

The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority it usually suggests today. It could mean literally "to go or come down" or, figuratively, "to willingly lower oneself to another’s level," senses that are still occasionally encountered in writings on the Bible. The idea of self-consciously lowering oneself is implied in the "patronizing" sense of condescending.

Examples of patronize in a Sentence

For the court to come around, at this late date, to acknowledging our existence as "free persons" is shockingly patronizing; it's condescension that has been cast as liberation. — John Cloud, Time, 7 July 2003 She spoke dryly, but she had to admit that the girl did not mean to patronize, and was pleasant, the way she talked right to Stephen instead of across him the way most people did. — Ursula K. Le Guin, New Yorker, 28 Sept. 1987 My feelings seem to have been confused and blurred, tinged with sentimentality, colored by a great deal of folklore, and wobbling always between a patronizing affection, fostered by my elders, and downright hostility. — William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (l953) 1982 The family patronizes the arts. He hated being patronized and pitied by those who didn't believe his story. “I'm sure you did your best even though you failed.” “Please don't patronize.” I patronize the library regularly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though most golfers stay at the resort, many venture off-site to patronize local bars and restaurants, which are busier than ever, according to Krug. — Gary D'amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "D'Amato: How Sand Valley Golf Resort is transforming central Wisconsin," 30 June 2018 The show mostly avoids patronizing its characters with cute oldster humor. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: Hip-Hopping With the Stars in ‘Half Time’," 14 June 2018 After a long day of spectating or playing, tourists visited museums like The Henry Ford, walked along the riverfront, took pictures and patronized local staples like the Punch Bowl Social . — Aja Gaines And Taylor Gribble, Detroit Free Press, "USA Volleyball invades Detroit: Stories from girls junior tournament," 4 July 2018 Assisting Alex with these two bizarre cases is Constable Jill Ferriter, a junior partner whom Alex initially patronizes but comes to value and respect. — Tom Nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: Plunging Into Murky Waters," 22 June 2018 Viraj Mahida, owner of Cottage Street Liquors, said Weldon patronized his store daily and the women found dead were regular customers. — Laura Crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, "Before kidnapping charges, Stewart Weldon cast a long shadow in Springfield," 17 June 2018 That’s why the Korean government allowed for one casino citizens can patronize, but put it in a remote, woebegone mining area that is difficult to get to from Seoul. — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "South Korea wants to build casino industry where all are welcome but Koreans," 23 Feb. 2018 Please continue to support the ongoing fundraising efforts of the 4th of July Committee by donating to the event, and by patronizing local businesses that do. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Letter: Fourth of July in Glenview," 6 July 2018 Sixty years ago, downtown Nashville was a mixed and bustling place, where African-Americans wielded their postwar economic muscle by patronizing — and, in 1960, boycotting — shops that refused to serve them coffee. — Justin Davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "Downtown Nashville Is Supposed to Be the Model of the Walkable 21st-Century City. I’m Not So Sure.," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patronize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.