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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Which bear is the most condescending?—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
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Yet these elements seem less condescending in the context of YA storytelling, a genre that allows for some didactic flourishes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or are the Red Sox better off cutting their losses, selling their pending free agents and looking ahead to 2027?—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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For fiscal year 2026, the administration proposed cutting NOAA’s budget by roughly 25 percent and eliminating the agency's research arm, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the division that houses much of its climate work.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Alex Wong | Getty Images Rivera, the political consultant, pointed to Khanna’s willingness to take risks by endorsing progressive candidates across the country, which would gain him allies in a potential presidential bid.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
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Still, Bianco, the two-term sheriff of California’s fourth most populous county, is a favorite of many Republicans in the state and won more support from delegates during the party’s recent endorsing convention than Hilton, though neither reached the necessary 60% to win the party backing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Among those acolytes is Lucien (Jérémy Gillet), a reedy, repressed young virgin who yearns to be part of the gay community but hasn’t the courage to come out to his domineering mother Christine (Elisabeth Wiener), who also just happens to be the country’s very right-wing health minister.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
23 May 2026
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Down at the bottom of the hierarchy, or really not ranked at all, is Lucien (Jérémy Gillet), a fey and cosseted twink of privilege who longs to meet Jim but is kept at home, safely away from anything gay, by his domineering mother.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The technique was originally built for door-knockers advocating for ballot initiatives but can be adapted to other kinds of fraught conversations.—
Lisa Pavia-Higel,
The Conversation,
27 May 2026
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Written during the Industrial Revolution, the landmark encyclical addressed workers’ rights, economic inequality, and the social consequences of rapid industrialization, advocating for labor protections while warning against both unregulated capitalism and socialism.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Aided by a rare Saturday afternoon kick-off time and sunny weather, which allowed fans to line the bars outside the stadium for hours before the game, a coach welcome and a dominant Everton performance, the atmosphere replicated the best of what Goodison had to offer.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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This is coming off the heels of Wyndham Clark’s dominant performance at TPC Craig Ranch at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.—
Jeff Hartman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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While that is still a possibility, Breslow hasn’t interviewed any candidates and is right now focused on supporting Tracy.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The resulting benefits supporting pregnancy care, fertility care, surrogacy, adoption, egg freezing and the like have gained in popularity and made significant impacts.—
Rachel Braun Scherl,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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