as in condescending
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
2
as in endorsing
to promote the interests or cause of
a company that loyally patronizes the arts
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patronizing
Stéphanie Giry, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2015
Being cut out of a Malick movie is nothing new, but even in a small role, Clooney is effective as a commanding officer who gives a patronizing speech near the end of The Thin Red Line after our main characters have gone through hell yet again.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024
Responses on social media suggested , with many considering his remarks to be disrespectful and patronizing.
—Theo Burman, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
He’s less immediately impressed by her, which feels more realistic and less patronizing.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Adjective
And in its attempt to leverage something that wasn’t entirely its to claim, at times the CNRP betrayed a view of the masses that was not only instrumentalist and patronizing but also almost feudal in its assumptions about the relationship between people and power.
—Stéphanie Giry, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2015
Being cut out of a Malick movie is nothing new, but even in a small role, Clooney is effective as a commanding officer who gives a patronizing speech near the end of The Thin Red Line after our main characters have gone through hell yet again.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024
Responses on social media suggested , with many considering his remarks to be disrespectful and patronizing.
—Theo Burman, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
He’s less immediately impressed by her, which feels more realistic and less patronizing.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
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While a condescending Texan harps about the beach’s current conditions— promising a stern meeting with Borowka in between droughts of a local lager—Douglas tells his story.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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But that’s a pretty mean and condescending way to give constructive criticism.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Weighing The Risks And Rewards Companies need to weigh the benefits and downsides of endorsing political nominees and appointees.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Manhattan Democratic Party boss Keith Wright is endorsing Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan’s 2025 bid for city comptroller, dealing a blow to Mark Levine, Manhattan’s borough president who’s running against Brannan.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The trial had revealed Blue Cross’ domineering behavior.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
12 Apr. 2025
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As mild-mannered schoolteacher Mr. Lisbon, James Woods plays a quiet counterpoint to his domineering wife.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Students and faculty who participated in last year’s protests at Columbia have insisted that criticizing Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights isn’t antisemitic.—
Larry Neumeister,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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Understanding this is about advocating for yourself and ensuring your contributions are seen and valued.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Light, fine, dominant and gorgeous aromas of black cherries.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Like every successful side in these early years of the World Cup, Uruguay 1950 had an outstanding centre-half in Varela, who was physically dominant and also a key attacking weapon.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Verb
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The design is intended to spur students to leave their rooms and connect with their fellow students, supporting physical and mental health.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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Carter asked Davis to come out of retirement—again—to help lead the process of enacting the speed limit into law and supporting its nationwide promotion.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Wise minds inside the Trump administration will hopefully choose to drop a suit first introduced during by a Biden administration reflexively disdainful of big.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Now, with Donald J. Trump installed in the White House, Mr. Zelensky is facing a new challenge: maintaining good relations with the country’s most critical ally and a president who has been disdainful toward him and skeptical of military aid.—
Andrew E. Kramer,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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