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
While the construction industry is the most directly affected, other parts of the region’s economy also are feeling the pinch, including restaurants patronized by workers, real estate agents and some retailers.
—
Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Stop using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Staff are well-trained and proactive without being patronizing, and the hotel’s smaller scale makes navigation easy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
As an adult, Rhodes would once more patronize the building, when it was occupied by City Lights.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Stop using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Staff are well-trained and proactive without being patronizing, and the hotel’s smaller scale makes navigation easy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
As an adult, Rhodes would once more patronize the building, when it was occupied by City Lights.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
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In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
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The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He is endorsed by the MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Swiss industrial engineering and manufacturing firm Sulzer has endorsed Spinnova’s consortium, which the Finnish firm established to advance the adoption of its fiber technology across the industry.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In contrast, the Fraternal Order of Eagles advocated for pensions for industrial wage laborers—for people who had worked in jobs that wore out their bodies and left them physically unable to work.—
Trevor Jackson,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Shailin managed to refer some families to human-rights groups that advocate for prisoners in Iran.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Medical experts say if a rattlesnake bites, keep the area still, at or below heart level, do not apply ice, do not cut the wound, and do not suck out the venom – and seek help immediately.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Aztecs were within nine points late in the first half against Michigan and had a 3 rattle out that would have cut it to six before getting their doors blown off 94-54, their most lopsided defeat of the 21st century.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By that, Lentsch means that the general public — the masses — overwhelmingly support public lands and have the potential to throw their support behind the cause.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
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The school raised the majority of the funding for the forest from the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which will also support an environmental science project on campus.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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