patronize

verb

ˈpā-trə-ˌnīz How to pronounce patronize (audio)
Definition of patronizenext
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

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 Lee and his Burning co-writer Oh Jung-mi resist what might have been the first instinct of many filmmakers by refusing to make Ye-ji and Sang-woo overly patronizing rich jerks. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026 Steinem set out to expose the working conditions and interior lives of the bunnies slinging booze to the playboys who patronized the club. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 As early as the 1920s, Coco Chanel patronized Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes company, famously designing the costumes for Le Train Bleu, choreographed by Bronislava Nijinska and premiered in 1924. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 Beaverbrook is a five-star country house hotel that was once patronized by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and other 20th-century celebrities. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
  1. condescend
  2. endorse
  3. cut
  4. advocate
  5. support
Verb
  • Under his purview, the brand has had to execute a tricky dance—to be sexy without being prurient, playful without being cheesy, desirable without being condescending.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • As the government prosecutor, Norwegian actor Christian Rubeck gives a smug and condescending tone to nearly every word out of his mouth, becoming the closest thing the movie has to a villain.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of condescend
Verb
  • Eight years ago, protesters frequently drove coverage in their preferred direction by disrupting candidates (Movimiento Cosecha pushed Biden to endorse a deportation moratorium, for instance) and showing up to press them at Q&As.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • There’s currently a petition circulating among them urging national leaders to respect their vote to endorse Raman.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of endorse
Verb
  • The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Later that month, Achilles, a university lecturer, cut a campaign ad in the spirit of a tongue-in-cheek corporate training video on how to avoid starting a foreign war.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Finally, Louise herself, who had since left the region and was now twice divorced, returned to advocate for the historical importance of her old home, which never did receive official landmark status, locally or otherwise.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Human rights lawyer Rosy Auguste Ducena, who advocates for the rights of victims of violence, says the Haitian public is fed up with the slow pace of change.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of advocate
Verb
  • More than 120 countries supported the resolution — only three voted against it — Argentina, Israel and the United States.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The organizers included activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who previously helped organize rallies supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

patronesses
patronize
patronized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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