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
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Recent Examples of patronizing
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 May 2025
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
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's just something about it that's very patronizing.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 May 2025
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
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
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If this premiere is any indicator, Keiarna is going to have to sharpen her digs a bit so that Wendy doesn’t get to easily dismiss or minimize what clearly seems to be a passive-aggressive or condescending subtext in their dynamic.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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These can often be perceived as condescending, disguising advice within a seemingly innocuous question.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While serving as a senator last year, Rubio joined Senator Rick Scott and other Republican lawmakers in formally endorsing Machado’s nomination, citing her unwavering commitment to democracy under the Maduro regime’s pressure.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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She has been lauded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who as senator co-signed a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee endorsing Machado for the 2024 peace prize.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And one of the reasons the film doesn’t succeed is Meryl Streep’s grotesque performance as the filterless, domineering matriarch.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Gein’s mother was cruel and domineering.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Unified Government created a set of incentives, which include cutting permit fees and water and sewer connection fees, for people who want to build on its land bank property to try to encourage redevelopment.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
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The prince also accused his father of cutting him off financially, and Meghan said the royals discussed denying their children prince and princess titles and police protection.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Griffin-Gracy spent more five decades advocating for Black trans women, gender-nonconforming people, trans women who survived incarceration and police brutality, and the AIDS crisis, the post read.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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As the largest global trade organization of movie theater owners, Cinema United plays a critical role in advocating for the interests of the theatrical experience.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, the title challengers were dominant on home turf, but the statistics suggest Perri should have kept the score down.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Los Angeles Dodgers, after silencing the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, Tuesday night in front of a subdued crowd at American Family Field, are putting on one of the most dominant pitching clinics in the league.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The culinary program, for example, spotlights seasonal ingredients, supporting Arizona farmers and purveyors.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 20 Oct. 2025.
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