1
as in customer
a person who buys a product or uses a service from a business
a restaurant patron
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sponsor
a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing
the wealthy philanthropist is one of the city's most generous patrons of its symphony orchestra
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in donor
one that helps another with gifts or money
the patron for the museum's current blockbuster is the city's biggest banking institution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of patron
The first approach—the easiest default position—is to squeeze out the remaining essence of neoliberalism, taking the wealthiest patrons as the primary audience, whatever interests and investments that entails.
—
Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Officer Bolton, who was patrolling the Oakland City Station concourse, heard a commotion on the platform and saw patrons pointing toward Matthews, according to the affidavit.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
The festival is the country’s main summer event, attracting many sponsors, patrons, and attendees, and has faced none of the recent financial challenges faced by festivals in Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
Other patrons had recommended Borger for that type of massage.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for patron
Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Officer Bolton, who was patrolling the Oakland City Station concourse, heard a commotion on the platform and saw patrons pointing toward Matthews, according to the affidavit.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
The festival is the country’s main summer event, attracting many sponsors, patrons, and attendees, and has faced none of the recent financial challenges faced by festivals in Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
Other patrons had recommended Borger for that type of massage.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for patron
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patron
Noun
-
This round gives us the working capital to show up the way our retail partners and customers deserve, fully stocked, beautifully merchandised, and with the marketing muscle to match.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
-
For that to happen, Kuntz said, 1400-seat theater will need to screen a regular supply of films to a diverse customer base, including nearby students that have long been among its most frequent customers.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Williams said the Coast Guard is the only major national sponsor that’s abandoned the event in recent years.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The Department would like to thank the sponsors, Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Representative Bob Morgan, and Representative Tom Weber, for their partnership and advocacy.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Congress is already reviewing bipartisan legislation called the Living Donor Protection Act that would prohibit insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on donor status.—
Gabriel Schnickel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss were among the biggest individual crypto donors to Trump’s 2024 election campaign.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The Wall Street banks are competing to fete clients ahead of the SpaceX listing.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
His barbershop clients included many of the chefs and cooks around town, Freeman among them.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
And those benefactors could withdraw their support, too (within the bounds of their contracts, but good luck suing them).—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
The logic went that the Lebanese Shiite group – which has posed a persistent threat to Israel for 44 years – would finally succumb if stripped of its Iranian benefactor.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
That’s the gold standard of cancer designations that allows patients and donators alike to understand Sylvester’s standards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
While Paytas’ Big Broadway Dream quickly sold out the St. James Theatre, donations of $5 to $25 to the Fund enters donators will be entered for a chance to win a front row pair of tickets.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Miraval has long encouraged guests to limit or even forego their use of digital devices as a way of enhancing awareness of one’s surroundings and allowing moments for self-reflection and personal growth.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
Mavis remains in Paris, lying now in the Peron family crypt in Montmartre Cemetery, a guest of this city even in death.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patron.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patron. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
