1
as in to condescend
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 to endorse
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
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 patronize
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
In Minneapolis, meat raffles are held each Friday night in the 1029 Bar, a spot often patronized by police officers.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
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 patronize
Verb
Trade school is often talked about as an alternative to a four-year degree, but the discourse can be patronizing, with jobs in construction framed as an off-ramp for the kids who can’t cut it in real college.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
In Minneapolis, meat raffles are held each Friday night in the 1029 Bar, a spot often patronized by police officers.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
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 patronize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize
Verb
-
Others take the story’s recognition by the Commonwealth judges as evidence that the literary establishment is guilty of condescending to the Global South.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
-
Our tone of voice is conversational, not condescending.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Pakistan, which has played a mediation role in US-Iran talks, endorsed the agreement, too, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
The commission endorsed the idea of adding 10 council members, a move that would reduce the size of each council district to roughly 159,000 residents from 265,000.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The current unrest first erupted in May after Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to shrink the deficit.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Some analysts expect Apple could benefit as manufacturers of Android devices cut specs or raise prices.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Many hawks advocated introducing ground troops, but doing so would have made matters much worse.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
This success has spurred WWE officials to advocate for a significant push for Gable, with strong support for a prominent role at SummerSlam 2026 in his hometown.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Create an inner and outer sanctuary that supports your emotional needs.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
Mangione’s lawyers had faced a deadline Thursday to provide prosecutors with information to support the emotional disturbance claim.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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