as in condescending
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Dissimilar Words
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
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
The clearest firebrand of the group is Suzanne (Mia Barron), whose patronizing politeness will eventually give way to rage once her views are challenged.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Sure, Pittsburgh Trauma being a teaching hospital naturally lends to scenes of literal instruction, but too often the show pushes past procedural necessity into something distractingly pedantic, even patronizing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Adjective
Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
The clearest firebrand of the group is Suzanne (Mia Barron), whose patronizing politeness will eventually give way to rage once her views are challenged.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Fast food chains may require workers to make diners feel valued and welcome, and certainly many customers see merit in patronizing an establishment where service comes with a smile.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Sure, Pittsburgh Trauma being a teaching hospital naturally lends to scenes of literal instruction, but too often the show pushes past procedural necessity into something distractingly pedantic, even patronizing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
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And the motivational quotes on the walls are so condescending.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
23 Feb. 2026
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Kudos to Tara for keeping her composure as Whelan offers this condescending remark about Libya.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After cutting direct military aid to Ukraine last year, Washington even reached out to Kyiv for its expertise in countering Iranian drones, which Russia uses to attack it.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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During one spurt, the freshman put up eight points in less than four minutes, cutting UCLA’s lead to 11.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s a difference between someone associated with the league choosing to go to Magic City and the league endorsing a Magic City night.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, stopped short of endorsing or rejecting the Senate idea.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
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Sophie Turner plays Anne, living in the countryside and struggling in poverty with her domineering mother-in-law Morwen (Harden).—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All the companies advocating for changes to the grid would, of course, stand to benefit from those same changes.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
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Payá, 37, who escaped the country 13 years ago, has spent the past decade advocating internationally for democratic change in Cuba.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Prior to the start of the current conflict, the IRGC was one of the most powerful organizations in the country, playing a dominant role in both internal domestic security and regional power projection.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
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Redick has a steadfast belief that the Lakers can turn heads in the West, starting with their comfortable, even dominant, victories over the New York Knicks and Timberwolves in back-to-back games while winning six of their past seven contests.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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No, the actor, now 27 and recognized in the best supporting actress category for her sensitive turn in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, has actually—wait for it—already been working for a quarter of a century.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
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From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
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Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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