as in condescending
Related Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of patronizing
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Adjective
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
Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
-
And the motivational quotes on the walls are so condescending.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Kudos to Tara for keeping her composure as Whelan offers this condescending remark about Libya.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Vesia surrendered a two-run triple to Swanson and an RBI single to Nico Hoerner, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Part of that includes 'cutting the pond' using machinery to dig through the sand and allow water to flow in and out.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Since 2021, college athletes can sign deals that typically involve endorsing, sponsoring or influencing a product or service without forfeiting their NCAA eligibility.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Who is funding the race and endorsing the candidates?—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The new biopic of Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua and the Jackson estate paints the gloved one as the one true victim — a harmless Peter Pan figure whose own childhood was snatched away by a domineering father.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Joseph has a cruel and domineering air about him.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The work Corban does today — speaking internationally, advocating for treating assault survivors with empathy instead of skepticism and working in development and marketing for a victims’ center — is sorely needed.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Clooney has also become known for his humanitarian efforts, advocating for the First Amendment as well as the human-rights campaigns for the crises in Darfur in Sudan.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Kaneland trailed 1-0 but Frey was dominant going into the sixth.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Seahawks leaned on a collective pass rush rather than one dominant star, finishing the season as one of the league’s more effective defensive fronts.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Snitker was emotional, thanking Ronnie for supporting him in this career for all these decades.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Investors bought tech stocks viewed as supporting the AI infrastructure buildout and dumping those seen as threatened by its adoption.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
