1
as in sponsorship
the financial support and general guidance for an undertaking
a symphony orchestra that had long relied upon the patronage of the city's moneyed old guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in business
transactions or economic support provided by customers
he refuses to give his patronage to any corporation that is not socially conscious
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 patronage
But skeptics have long argued that such funding, which has increased eightfold under Infantino, is really just a mechanism for patronage and control.
—
Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The unintended consequence was light pollution, and in a country with deep astronomical roots—both Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe had worked in an observatory there under imperial patronage—that mattered.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
The event is held under the patronage of RAI Fiction and in media partnership with state broadcaster RAI, which has recognized Italian Global Series as an event of national importance.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 May 2026
The former would dramatically reduce the King’s ability to dispense patronage.
—Danielle Allen, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronage
Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The unintended consequence was light pollution, and in a country with deep astronomical roots—both Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe had worked in an observatory there under imperial patronage—that mattered.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
The event is held under the patronage of RAI Fiction and in media partnership with state broadcaster RAI, which has recognized Italian Global Series as an event of national importance.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 May 2026
The former would dramatically reduce the King’s ability to dispense patronage.
—Danielle Allen, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronage
Noun
-
The Berggruen Institute, a think tank that’s been a vocal champion of UBC, described it broadly as a large wealth fund that people could invest in and get returns from, with some kind of state sponsorship.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Sixteen stadiums across three countries, including seven games at Hard Rock Stadium — er, Miami Stadium, as it’s being called for the tournament, due to the rules against sponsorship unless the ruling soccer federation FIFA gets the money.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
As such, many local businesses and residents oppose the proposal.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
The team plainly had no business there.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens
June 8,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Custom app icon, fonts Instagram Plus gives the app's users the ability to choose a custom app icon, versus just the standard tile.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
As was his custom with donors, the chief wrote a letter thanking him for the contribution.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronage. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
