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.
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Which bear is the most condescending?
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.
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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.
Verb
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Democrats criticize Mamdani, candidates after wins Multiple Democrats have come out against not only Mamdani for endorsing them, but the candidates themselves.
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Trump first began antagonizing Senate Republicans last month by endorsing challenges to two of their own incumbents.
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.
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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.
Verb
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Arie has a reputation of advocating for self-empowerment and social consciousness in her music, as well as being outspoken on race and cultural identity issues.
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Daisy Chain Fields features an all-women lineup and 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to charities dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls.
Adjective
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Brazil cruised past Scotland in a dominant victory in Miami.
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Without registering a goal or an assist, Pedri has been the best passer in a Spain midfield unit that has looked secure and dominant with the ball, albeit against two far less talented opponents.
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.
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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.
Adjective
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His whole behavior toward women is so disdainful.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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