Definition of patronnext
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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

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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 Hotels used in talks last week have already asked patrons leave as the country shudders into another quasi-lockdown. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026 The unassuming Highlands location has greeted patrons with its signature green awning since 2011. Usa Today Network, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026 Regular patrons were relieved no one was seriously hurt after seeing the aftermath of the crash. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Since the 1970s, patrons have been swimming to shore for cocktails, leaving their dollars waterlogged from the journey but always welcome. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patron
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patron
Noun
  • Sports franchises everywhere can be tacky, rapacious, incompetent, extortionate, and otherwise exploitative, but only because their customers, the fans, are essentially captives.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Since the market re-opened late in 2025, drawing thousands of customers eager for the shakes and baked goods, the owners decided to keep it open an extra month this spring.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The prospect of empty seats would alarm the television networks and sponsors who have paid top dollar to be associated with the tournament.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The White House placed Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorists, impeding its ability to access international banking services.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • These sprawling bureaucracies are, in many cases, the architecture of institutions that have mastered the art of absorbing public funds quietly, while wealthy donors receive their own favors in return.
    Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Unfortunately, that donor’s blood wasn’t a good match for Babbitt but fortunately, another donor came forward who was a match.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On April 16, the OCTC seized four boxes with 97 files and downloaded numerous clients’ immigration documents from a pair of computers.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • During a court appearance on Tuesday, Terry's lawyer, Steven Yermish, asked Judge Ellen Sue Venzer to grant his client a new trial, arguing that inadmissible evidence was presented at trial at the end of last year, the outlet reported.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is privately operated by a corporation of just under 1,000 benefactors who have an endowment of over $2 billion.
    Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The benefactors, on the other hand, wore their wealth with ease.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 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
  • Complimentary admission for hotel guests with limited day passes during summer.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Every few minutes, the quiet of a muggy spring evening in the Park Glen neighborhood in far north Fort Worth was broken by the clanging of pots, pans, air horns, and other noisemakers as residents looked skyward at unwanted guests.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patron.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patron. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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