1
as in condescended
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
Relevance
2
as in endorsed
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 patronized
According to a press release, more than 82 million passengers patronized Denver's airport.
—
Logan Smith, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The film’s British production, and its British filmmaker, can’t help but occupy a large section of the movie’s negative space, inviting questions about who and what exactly is being satirized (or perhaps patronized) in this tale of warring desert nations.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
Rather than inspire enthusiasm, the event lineup left the employee feeling patronized.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
For family-run businesses, this means higher rents and costlier overheads, as well as the exodus of communities that traditionally patronized them.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
At Vanguard Studios, in Mumbai, Sheth came upon drawers full of glass negatives, receptacles for the countless unnamed sitters who’d once patronized the establishment.
—M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
These restaurants are locally owned and supplied, and they’re patronized by people who live there.
—Jonathan Wolfe, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Already, businesses patronized by immigrants are seeing declines in sales as some residents try to stay home more, Shi said.
—Tami Luhby, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Losing touch with the American public as well as the Washington political establishment, which often patronized him, Carter retreated to Camp David to consult a wide variety of Americans on why his administration was failing.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Logan Smith, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The film’s British production, and its British filmmaker, can’t help but occupy a large section of the movie’s negative space, inviting questions about who and what exactly is being satirized (or perhaps patronized) in this tale of warring desert nations.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
Rather than inspire enthusiasm, the event lineup left the employee feeling patronized.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
For family-run businesses, this means higher rents and costlier overheads, as well as the exodus of communities that traditionally patronized them.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
At Vanguard Studios, in Mumbai, Sheth came upon drawers full of glass negatives, receptacles for the countless unnamed sitters who’d once patronized the establishment.
—M. Z. Adnan, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
These restaurants are locally owned and supplied, and they’re patronized by people who live there.
—Jonathan Wolfe, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Already, businesses patronized by immigrants are seeing declines in sales as some residents try to stay home more, Shi said.
—Tami Luhby, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Losing touch with the American public as well as the Washington political establishment, which often patronized him, Carter retreated to Camp David to consult a wide variety of Americans on why his administration was failing.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronized
Verb
-
Susannah Fullerton on the French Writer’s Feline Muses La Chatte condescended to live with Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette), born in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, France, in 1873, died in Paris, 1954, novelist, actress and journalist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Hoyer endorsed Boafo last month, shortly after announcing his plans to retire from the House at the end of his current term.—
Halle Troadec,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
On Wednesday, the Avance Democratic Club endorsed Horvath in that campaign.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
More recently, the mayor spoke out against the county’s plan to cut $200 million in homeless services.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Local reports said Ukrainian missiles hit a power plant and an electrical substation, cutting power to parts of the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino has advocated for measures to help the sheep in the past.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of total elimination, Marrone advocated thinning the mule deer population, but leaving some to eat away at fire fuels and serve as a natural fire protection.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bill passed with a 217-214 vote, supported by most Republicans and 21 Democrats.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Stoschek’s foundation has supported dozens of exhibitions, including two of Germany’s pavilions at the Venice Biennale, and runs public museums in Düsseldorf and Berlin.—
Will Fenstermaker,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronized. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
