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
Relevance
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
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 patronize
The plan for the community center included Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, building renovations, and a senior center conversion, which would help older Fort Worth residents patronizing the center, according to the agenda item.
—
Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2025
Diverging from the popular makeover show model of switching up subjects each episode, season three of the heartwarming series splits its time between two hotbeds of drag bans, Tennessee and Oklahoma, where the new queens take on neo-Nazis, church elders and one particularly patronizing dad.
—Elaina Patton, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Spectacle is one way to get people to show up in person and perhaps patronize other businesses too.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
There’s something inescapably patronizing when parents make this argument.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2025
Diverging from the popular makeover show model of switching up subjects each episode, season three of the heartwarming series splits its time between two hotbeds of drag bans, Tennessee and Oklahoma, where the new queens take on neo-Nazis, church elders and one particularly patronizing dad.
—Elaina Patton, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Spectacle is one way to get people to show up in person and perhaps patronize other businesses too.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
There’s something inescapably patronizing when parents make this argument.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
-
The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Musk remained unimpressed, dismissing Rubio with a smirk and a condescending jab.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
President Joe Biden publicly endorsed and supported health care price transparency.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
On Thursday, former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn endorsed Laesch.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Supporters commended the 46-year-old for his approach to child-raising and advocated for more fathers to follow suit while also agreeing with the actor that there was a war against masculinity.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Portfolio management textbooks have long advocated viewing asset allocation in terms of asset classes.—
Chris Carosa,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Pitino pulled star wing RJ Luis out of the lineup after making two free throws to cut Arkansas’ lead to two points with less than five minutes to play.—
Brendan Quinn,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Will cutting sustainability contribute to losing trust with employees, consumers, and communities?—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Abelson, who was nominated by President Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Vitale succeeds Donatella Versace, who will assume the role of chief brand ambassador, focused on supporting Versace’s philanthropic and charitable efforts.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share