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
According to a press release, more than 82 million passengers patronized Denver's airport.
—
Logan Smith, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Fast food chains may require workers to make diners feel valued and welcome, and certainly many customers see merit in patronizing an establishment where service comes with a smile.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Logan Smith, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Fast food chains may require workers to make diners feel valued and welcome, and certainly many customers see merit in patronizing an establishment where service comes with a smile.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
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Being condescending, far from being a virtue, is universally acknowledged as a vice.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
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But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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United Domestic Workers, a union partly founded by Cesar Chavez that represents over 200,000 home care and child care workers statewide, said Wednesday that its executive board had voted to endorse Tom Steyer, a San Francisco climate change activist.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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Then-candidate Vice President Kamala Harris quickly endorsed the campaign promise.—
Luke Garrett,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Outside of nursing, Gibson spent her life advocating for Coconut Grove residents during a time of rapid gentrification, developing nonprofits that advocate for businesswomen and the health and wellness of communities.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Fans and historic-preservation advocates Richard Schave and Kim Cooper of the local tour group Esotouric posted multiple updates on the fate of the former stall, including the preservation of its hanging menu board.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sam Bennett scored with 35 seconds left to cut the deficit back to one but Florida could get no closer.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
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That deal, which required Iran to limit its nuclear program by, among other things, cutting enrichment levels and reducing centrifuges, took effect in 2016 and was due to expire 10 years after it was adopted.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The actor's other film credits include supporting roles in the 2009 Renée Zellweger comedy My One and Only and the 2019 Uzo Aduba comedy Miss Virginia.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
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Ahead of each collection, Gassanoff partners with institutions like Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, or Capital Culture House in Rome, to secure funds in order to spotlight and financially support the artisan communities that produce his pieces, hence the brand name.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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