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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patronizing
Sarah Scott, Parents, 4 Dec. 2025
Fear-mongering, which comes off equal parts paranoid and patronizing, is the surest way to make people stop listening.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Adjective
Used in a patronizing context toward a rule follower, this trend is usually used to mock rather than compliment.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 4 Dec. 2025
Fear-mongering, which comes off equal parts paranoid and patronizing, is the surest way to make people stop listening.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
As that reopening date nears, some longtime residents have waxed nostalgic over its legacy as a beacon of entertainment in a community that was barred from patronizing other theaters in North Texas.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
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Ahead of his team’s clash with Australia, Turkey captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu completely dismissed his opponent in a surprisingly honest and condescending assessment.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Which bear is the most condescending?—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The interim agreement to end the Iran war has already reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed, cutting the global economy off from significant supplies of oil and natural gas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
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But after the cost-cutting trade of Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, the depth chart for the edge rusher spots is thin.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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While the anti-migration League has backed opening discussion, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and centrist allies have been more cautious about endorsing a proposal linked to extremist circles, amid concerns over legal risks and internal divisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
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They were viewed as Xavi endorsing Laporta’s main rival at the ballot box - Victor Font - during the build-up to a March election Laporta won.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Musk’s company has inked lucrative AI deals with Anthropic and Google and plans to be the domineering firm behind orbital data centers, which SpaceX has said could be deployed as early as 2028.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Many figures within evangelicalism have promoted an aggressive, domineering, even abusive view of manhood—affixing to it, as Du Mez argues, the label biblical.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Verb
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However, a growing number of residents have been regularly showing up to city council meetings advocating for a moratorium on data center development, pointing to issues with noise pollution, water use, and electricity costs.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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In response to the disparities on the field, NFL cheerleaders have filed lawsuits advocating for fair pay and better working conditions — several of which have been settled privately, according to The Guardian.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Clark was at the center of Indiana’s dominant outing, as the two-time All-Star delivered a variety of highlight-reel passes to lead the Fever to their fourth straight win and first victory over the Tempo, who are in their inaugural season.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The lofty valuation for the company that has become dominant in satellites through its Starlink service and reusable rockets has raised questions about its ambitious growth plans.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Verb
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All proceeds to the sell-out show, which was simulcast on ESPN, benefited the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the MSG non-profit supporting children in need.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
20 June 2026
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Infantry attempting to move along the front, vehicle convoys transporting supplies, command posts coordinating operations, and artillery units supporting assaults are increasingly vulnerable to Ukrainian drone operators who can identify and strike targets with unprecedented speed and precision.—
Hunter LaCroix,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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His whole behavior toward women is so disdainful.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
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The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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