1
as in cutting
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 endorsing
to promote the interests or cause of
a company that loyally patronizes the arts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in condescending
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 patronizing
Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
And all the polite cheeriness about singlehood—especially from partnered people, in a society still designed for couples—can feel disingenuous and patronizing.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
All were charged with patronizing prositution while eight people were charged with solicitaion of a minor.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Verb
There is a pathetic patronizing attempt to walk the misogynistic message back with the reassurance that of course the Tribune Editorial Board supports any choice a person makes about childbirth.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
And all the polite cheeriness about singlehood—especially from partnered people, in a society still designed for couples—can feel disingenuous and patronizing.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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
All were charged with patronizing prositution while eight people were charged with solicitaion of a minor.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Verb
-
Jake’s dismissive, condescending tone with Roxie here is new and seems to mark the final nail in Jake’s coffin when, moments later, Detective Seung (Hettienne Park) shows up with news of Anna’s death.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
-
These can often be perceived as condescending, disguising advice within a seemingly innocuous question.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Nieto observed that the grand jury report, while endorsing the dismantling of advisory boards, also recommended that local community planning boards take over the duty of identifying projects for funding.—
Steven Mihailovich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement Schumer, meanwhile, declined to give a reason for holding off on endorsing Mamdani when pressed by CNN host Dana Bash on Sunday.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But as Blitzer points out, the Magnificent 7's domineering influence does not mean the S&P 500 is broken.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Managers often grow more assertive (sometimes drifting into domineering).—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some are discontinuing various product lines, and others are cutting workers or closing altogether.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The bass is a hard thing to really get cutting, but also representing the bottom.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The operation has prompted protests in the city from groups advocating for the protection of undocumented immigrants.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Brooks posted anti-white and anti-police content on social media, comparing police officers to Ku Klux Klan members and advocating violence against white people.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The five-time first-team All-NBA megastar reinvented himself physically at the start of the summer before looking like the most dominant player in all of Europe this summer.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Taiwan has begun evolving its trade strategy to start wielding its dominant position as a leading supplier of cutting-edge chips as a weapon, Bloomberg reported.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After all, iron is essential for supporting the development and function of your brain and muscles, among other significant benefits.—
Kristine Thomason,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Conservatives have pledged to continue funding and supporting the organization following Kirk's death.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Talking about the huddle, one of his teammates just walked off the field inexplicably (Governor Kugler) taking early retirement and two others (Waller and Bowman) are openly disdainful of his play calling.—
Bob Haber,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
For decades, the Academy seemed to keep Cruise at a vaguely disdainful distance, dismissing him as more of an action figure than a serious ack-TOOR.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share