PATRONIZE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

patronize

verb

ˈpā-trə-ˌnīz

Definition of patronize

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

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 There were few international visitors, an absence that has perplexed business owners who banked on hundreds of thousands of new faces to patronize their establishments. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 He was arrested four more times through 2015, pleading guilty on separate occasions to patronizing a prostitute and resisting arrest. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 The speech was made at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a monastery that Mazepa patronized. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026 The altercation occurred outside of a parking garage near Doggie’s, a State College bar that, according to police documents, McKenna had patronized with a group earlier that night. — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for patronize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize

Verb

Even her more complimentary remarks are pointedly condescending.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
On top of this, his tone is condescending by suggesting that any claim for material recompense by Black people can only come from a Black nationalist and bourgeois initiative.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Definition of condescend

Verb

Cornyn, who lost reelection this year after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, and Tillis, who is retiring when his term ends in January, have blocked Blanche’s nomination as many of their GOP colleagues have criticized the fund.

— Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Trump vowed to endorse candidates in the May primary running against Republican senators who voted against redistricting.

— Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of endorse

Verb

At the same time, the data shows, courts have severely cut the length of time many people are getting to prepare for complex immigration proceedings, from about six months to often just a little more than a month.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Using a paring knife, mark a smaller square inside each pastry square, leaving a 1/2 inch border (do not cut all the way through the dough).

— Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

Stefan Rittner, senior portfolio manager at Allianz Global Investors, said markets were more likely to accept measures that improve productivity, labor supply and long-term growth than spending aimed mainly at supporting consumption.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Reuters — Japan’s government is portraying its accelerating military buildup not only as a way to protect the country but as a route to greater prosperity, arguing in ‌its latest defence white paper that arms production can support economic growth.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

patronesses

patronize

patronized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of patronize

verb

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