Meaning of patronize in English:

verb

• 1Treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority.

  ‘she was determined not to be put down or patronized’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Despite the superior and patronizing tone of his voice, there was a deep concern.’
  • ‘Removing responsibility from victims is not a kindness; it is patronizing and perpetuates the problem.’
  • ‘These last shots betray a sentimentality and patronizing attitude inherent in the film's setting.’
  • ‘They often display snobbish, disdainful or patronizing attitudes.’
  • ‘My voice was patronizing, and Ben turned and glared at me.’
  • ‘You will see here how condescending, arrogant, and patronizing these people can be.’
  • ‘Is my sympathy condescending and patronizing?’
  • ‘And, of course, avoid anyone who is patronizing or condescending.’
  • ‘They are patronizing and condescending to their clients (not to mention deceptive).’
  • ‘She listened to their complaints and she offered some criticism of her own but she was never patronizing or condescending.’
  • ‘All are born aristocrats, and their bearing is dignified, even though at times it is also a tiny bit arrogant and patronizing.’
  • ‘It was, in some cases, patronizing to the point of contempt.’
  • ‘That kind of helpful ‘input’ is a tad patronizing.’
  • ‘Other times a high level of support is intrusive and patronising.’
  • ‘Ellis is a decent man in many ways, but he has a loftiness, an aloofness, that supporters and players find patronising.’
  • ‘This paternalistic idea is patronising to many hardworking families who make a myriad of complicated choices every day.’
  • ‘Apparently 72% of people have found letters from some organisations so patronising, insulting, confusing and full of jargon that they have cut all ties with them.’
  • ‘The vast majority won't and it's more than patronising to assume they aren't worthy of democracy.’
  • ‘In the past financial institutions may have taken a patronising attitude towards women.’
  • ‘Many housing executives view people from a very paternalistic and patronizing attitude.’

  Synonyms

  treat condescendingly, treat with condescension, condescend to, look down on, talk down to, put down, humiliate, treat like a child, treat as inferior, treat with disdain, treat contemptuously, treat scornfully, be snobbish to, look down one's nose at

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• 2Frequent (a shop, restaurant, or other establishment) as a customer.

  ‘restaurants and bars regularly patronized by the stars were often crowded with paparazzi’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Some customers patronize the store every two or three months; some of the very top spenders come in three to five times a week.’
  • ‘In the ad, a father tries to explain to his son why no customers patronize the family restaurant, which mainly sells pork meat-ball soup.’
  • ‘People who do not travel into cities to work are much less likely to patronize restaurants, theatres and shops.’
  • ‘Expensive restaurants are patronized at supper time by a new breed of business executives who combine dining with professional interaction.’
  • ‘Only the most determined and wealthy supermarket-haters will continue to patronise the small shops that are trying to make a go of it again.’
  • ‘In some urban shopping centres cinemas are another excuse for patronising the local shops.’
  • ‘Nobody is forcing shoppers to patronize grocery stores that offer discount cards.’
  • ‘This is a great time to patronize your local shops, too, they'll be liquidating as well.’
  • ‘I like to patronise local restaurants as well as ones that are exotic and new.’
  • ‘Man, if I lived in San Francisco, I'd be patronizing his shop daily.’
  • ‘In the past many visitors have patronized my shop and this is usually quite profitable.’
  • ‘‘Such food festivals are popular because those who regularly patronize the restaurant, appreciate a change in the menu,’ he added.’
  • ‘Do locals not have rights to patronize establishments in their own country?’
  • ‘Bar owners and restaurant owners are complaining of a decrease in revenue, as people are staying home and not patronising the establishments.’
  • ‘Consumers can help, too, by patronising their local shops and shunning the multiples.’
  • ‘There you will be able to patronise the verandah café, enjoy the gardens, and visit the mini vineyard.’
  • ‘He said two types of consumers patronize dollar stores.’
  • ‘Sponsorships like these keep the store's name firmly in the minds of local bowhunters and motivate them to patronize the store.’
  • ‘If employees don't patronize the stores, then it's difficult to see how they can expect customers to do so.’
  • ‘They run the neighborhood restaurants, bicycle stores, and flower shops you patronize.’

  Synonyms

  do business with, buy from, shop at, be a customer of, be a client of, bring custom to, bring trade to, deal with, trade with

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  1. 2.1Give financial or other support to (a person, organization, or cause)
     ‘she patronizes worthy causes’
     More example sentences

     • ‘Opposite this building was the Alexandra Tea Room, at 18 Rissik Street, which Gandhi used to patronise and support financially, and where he promoted vegetarianism.’
     • ‘Is it really the type of organization you should be patronizing?’
     • ‘Members create, finance and patronize the cooperative.’
     • ‘The organisers thank all who patronised the function and also everyone who donated prizes for the raffle.’
     • ‘Those who did not go this far might nevertheless insure their souls and those of their family by founding or patronizing a religious community.’
     • ‘While artists working in cities had their own studios, provincial painters were usually itinerants and sometimes lived with the families who patronized them.’
     • ‘The emperor, his family and his officials patronized poets, philosophers and painters.’
     • ‘He was patronized by the Pisani family and he was the official portrait painter to the Venetian academy.’
     • ‘The organisers wish to thank all who patronised the event.’
     • ‘She promoted courtly love and patronized important poets of the day.’
     • ‘Religion was similarly important, as he patronized Lutheran pastors and sponsored Lutheran children in this confessionally-mixed city.’
     • ‘He promoted and patronised the artists in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood hoping they might provide a new and noble British Art.’
     • ‘They also proved quite cultured, patronising art and architecture and encouraging literary pursuits.’
     Synonyms

     sponsor, back, fund, finance, be a patron of, promote, further, foster, help, aid, assist, support, encourage, champion, protect

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