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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patronizing
Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Those sentiments aren't constructive and can be rather patronizing.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Dec. 2025
So, the Miami Herald compiled a sampling of small Black businesses to consider patronizing for the holiday season.
—Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Adjective
The clearest firebrand of the group is Suzanne (Mia Barron), whose patronizing politeness will eventually give way to rage once her views are challenged.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Those sentiments aren't constructive and can be rather patronizing.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, people on both sides of the divide say Weiss and her senior leaders have brought a newspaper journalist’s sometimes patronizing attitude to television broadcasting.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Dec. 2025
So, the Miami Herald compiled a sampling of small Black businesses to consider patronizing for the holiday season.
—Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
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Kudos to Tara for keeping her composure as Whelan offers this condescending remark about Libya.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
22 Oct. 2025
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But Chernus talks at us with the condescending zeal of a true music-lover, and his cheeky tirades about the history of jazz — and why Jarrett’s gift for improvisation is unique even in the context of such a freeform genre — are entertaining and educational in equal measure.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With equal panache, and without cutting away, the narrative focus is handed like a baton in a relay race to the arriving Mayor Dumont (Josse De Pauw) and his daughter and press attaché Marie (Violet Braeckman).—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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The Legislature should focus on lowering costs by delivering permanent property tax relief, restraining state and local spending, cutting red tape that drives up housing and energy costs, and expanding reliable energy production to keep utilities affordable.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, the president himself has weighed in on the race, publicly endorsing District Attorney Clay Fuller.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday signed off on a plan to give financial relief to Palisades fire victims who are seeking to rebuild, endorsing it nearly 10 months after Mayor Karen Bass first announced it.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Even though Kenneth was the one to shoot Sheridan, both the jury and the judge accepted the prosecution's argument that Ronald was the domineering brother and had planned and directed the killing.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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In the movie, set in medieval England, Anne (Turner) and her domineering mother-in-law, Morwen (Gay Harden), struggle to survive on the outskirts of society.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As voters this year on the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, their positions conflict with those of Governor Waller, who is advocating for more cuts, a position also held by Fed Chair-designate Kevin Warsh.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
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The group has been advocating for such clarifications to be included in trade agreements with other Latin American nations, too.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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According to the Washington Post, there's currently about $200 million in political bets riding on the two dominant prediction platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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Dee Valladares is widely considered the most dominant winner in Survivor’s new era.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a January 16 court filing supporting criminal charges against the two men, the DOJ asserted Aljorna was the one driving the vehicle.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Eco effort Deeply committed to sea turtle conservation, Four Seasons Resort Nevis has partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy for over 15 years to educate and raise awareness while supporting research on migration patterns and species recovery.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
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Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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