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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The commonwealth has been without an operational freestanding birthing center since the 1980s, said Mary Kathryn DeLodder, director of the Kentucky Birth Coalition — a grassroots organization that led the charge in advocating for legislation loosening regulations for the facilities.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Ascension Saint Thomas President and CEO Fahad Tahir is among many local health care leaders advocating for Congress to extend the tax credits.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Vance said one portion of Democrats are making unreasonable demands to restore more than $1 trillion over the next decade in healthcare spending that was cut earlier this year.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Training, professional development, and the Safe Cities Partnership are among the areas cut.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 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 9 Oct. 2025.
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