patronize

[ pey-truh-nahyz, pa‐ ]
See synonyms for: patronizepatronizingpatronization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),pa·tron·ized, pa·tron·iz·ing.
  1. to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with.

  2. to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward: a professor who patronizes his students.

  1. to act as a patron toward (an artist, institution, etc.); support.

Origin of patronize

1
First recorded in 1580–90; patron + -ize
  • Also especially British, pa·tron·ise .

Other words from patronize

  • pa·tron·iz·a·ble, adjective
  • pa·tron·i·za·tion, noun
  • pa·tron·iz·er, noun
  • re·pa·tron·ize, verb (used with object), re·pa·tron·ized, re·pa·tron·iz·ing.
  • trans·pa·tron·ize, verb (used with object), trans·pa·tron·ized, trans·pa·tron·iz·ing.
  • un·pa·tron·iz·a·ble, adjective
  • well-pa·tron·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use patronize in a sentence

  • “Oh, perhaps you mean Tower Street” said the constable, with a patronising smile.

    The Garret and the Garden | R.M. Ballantyne
  • It was improving and patronising and treacly, and full of information, partly about the lectures, but mostly about himself.

    The Romance of His Life | Mary Cholmondeley
  • Towards myself he had begun by adopting a patronising attitude, which, however, he had soon dropped.

    A Frontier Mystery | Bertram Mitford
  • Hamerton, patronising in his estimate of Whistler's work, exaggerated in his comments on Whistler's prices.

    The Life of James McNeill Whistler | Elizabeth Robins Pennell
  • But he spoke to me kindly, with the sort of kindness that there is sometimes in his voice, patronising and reluctant of course.

    The Dark Forest | Hugh Walpole

British Dictionary definitions for patronize

patronize

patronise

/ (ˈpætrəˌnaɪz) /


verb
  1. to behave or treat in a condescending way

  2. (tr) to act as a patron or patroness by sponsoring or bringing trade to

Derived forms of patronize

  • patronizer or patroniser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012