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
From metro Detroit to Kalamazoo, the Flint area and beyond, there are dozens of local cider mills to patronize this season.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Liam, the brother who clearly wanted this reunion the most, and wore the inability to re-consummate the brotherly relationship like an open wound, is still given mostly to jokes on stage more than serious statements or anything that patronizes the audience.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Leaders were supposed to patronize the arts, not participate in them.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Shop In Uptown Put your plastic to good use by patronizing Uptown’s lovely community of small businesses.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Liam, the brother who clearly wanted this reunion the most, and wore the inability to re-consummate the brotherly relationship like an open wound, is still given mostly to jokes on stage more than serious statements or anything that patronizes the audience.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Leaders were supposed to patronize the arts, not participate in them.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Shop In Uptown Put your plastic to good use by patronizing Uptown’s lovely community of small businesses.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
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If this premiere is any indicator, Keiarna is going to have to sharpen her digs a bit so that Wendy doesn’t get to easily dismiss or minimize what clearly seems to be a passive-aggressive or condescending subtext in their dynamic.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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Dismissing these concerns as mere xenophobia is both condescending and factually wrong.—
Letters to the Editor,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse any individuals or entities featured on the episodes.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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The United States has hiked tariffs to the highest level since the Great Depression, and Japan’s incoming prime minister has endorsed lower interest rates and higher borrowing.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After years of advocating to expand private and religious education and homeschooling, using tax dollars, a cadre of conservative activists is in a position to push forward its agenda.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
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Last year, Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organization that advocates for nuclear disarmament, took home the Nobel Peace Prize.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Timberview had cut the lead to 32-22 but couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ rushing attack.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Philippine Fault Zone, which cuts across the archipelago, is one of many active faults responsible for significant seismic events.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Your browser does not support the video tag.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.—
Amy Huschka,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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