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
Stewart’s faux choir appeased patronizing white liberals.
—
Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025
Yet, for many consumers, virtue capitalism can offer compelling reasons to patronize a business.
—Time, 23 July 2025
One thing Obama seems very comfortable with is offering up his patronizing advice to the masses for a pretty penny.
—Grace Curley, Boston Herald, 21 July 2025
In March, 2008, the Post published a front-page story on Eliot Spitzer, then the governor of New York, who—after cracking down on prostitution rings while serving as the state’s attorney general, from 1999 to 2006—was outed as having patronized an escort service.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025
Yet, for many consumers, virtue capitalism can offer compelling reasons to patronize a business.
—Time, 23 July 2025
One thing Obama seems very comfortable with is offering up his patronizing advice to the masses for a pretty penny.
—Grace Curley, Boston Herald, 21 July 2025
In March, 2008, the Post published a front-page story on Eliot Spitzer, then the governor of New York, who—after cracking down on prostitution rings while serving as the state’s attorney general, from 1999 to 2006—was outed as having patronized an escort service.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
-
Such assumptions may be inaccurate and even condescending.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 July 2025
-
President Donald Trump is once again facing backlash, this time for comments made during a recent meeting with West African leaders that many are calling inappropriate and condescending.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics still endorses COVID-19 shots for children older than 6 months.—
DEVI SHASTRI,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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In the past, New Hampshire’s governor has been remarkably sensible for a Republican who endorsed Trump as recently as 2024.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Among those who rejected the offer are the families of Tate Myre, an honors student, mentor to struggling kids and star athlete who died in the shooting; and of 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, a shy basketball and volleyball player, whose family has long advocated for the school’s accountability.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Volunteers advocate for children who have been removed from their home from either abuse, abandonment or neglect.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Mary and her friend, Amelia, planted a White Lady Banks rose cutting near the back patio of the Cochise boarding house, where the couple lived.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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But analysis by the Congressional Budget Office shows that raising the age to 69 - up from the current 67 - could cut lifetime benefits by up to 13 percent for anyone born after 1971.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The reinforcements will join French and Italian aircraft already supporting Spanish operations.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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An estimated 20,000 people were in attendance, many to support the team from their home state.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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