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

  View synonyms

• 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

  View synonyms

  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

     View synonyms