patronizing

[ pey-truh-nahy-zing, pa- ]

adjective

1. displaying or indicative of an offensively condescending manner:

   a patronizing greeting, accompanied by a gentle pat on the back.

patronizing

/ ˈpætrəˌnaɪzɪŋ /

adjective

1. having a superior manner; condescending

Derived Forms

• ˈpatronˌizingly, adverb

Other Words From

• patron·izing·ly adverb
• non·patron·izing adjective
• quasi-patron·izing adjective
• quasi-patron·izing·ly adverb
• un·patron·izing adjective
• un·patron·izing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of patronizing¹

First recorded in 1720–30; patronize + -ing ²

Example Sentences

These blind spots can make the album’s appeal to just relax and go outside feel a little patronizing at times.

From Outside Online

Members of the royal family—including the tsar’s rather bohemian favorite uncle, the aforementioned Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov—began patronizing temperance.

From Time

The sales tax factors in big too, Gin said, since visitors and tourists normally would be patronizing restaurants and shops.

From Voice of San Diego

He said Moscow would ignore the patronizing statements of Western leaders on the case.

From Washington Post

Mehta was himself accused of highhandedness at times, notably in a 1989 article in the satirical magazine Spy, in which former assistants described him as patronizing and domineering.

From Washington Post

It is loathed by some critics who find it patronizing, silly, and superficial.

From The Daily Beast

Many commenters found her essay less empowering and more patronizing.

From The Daily Beast

Among the explorers, a state of mind developed that was patronizing and paternalistic.

From The Daily Beast

We will gladly continue patronizing those stores, but will not be taking our rifles.

From The Daily Beast

Or they might stop patronizing Starbucks and start patronizing a hipster java upstart like Stumptown.

From The Daily Beast

Hence we find them frequently patronizing "mediums" and fortune tellers of various kinds.

From Project Gutenberg

His merit was his patriotism, and his patronizing such men as Burke, and bringing them into influence.

From Project Gutenberg

Even masters entering through the swinging doors seemed glad to pass beyond the range of the heroes' patronizing contemplation.

From Project Gutenberg

She was getting impatient of their patronizing laughter, as if she were a child.

From Project Gutenberg

To him, despite his well-exploited and patronizing devotion to them, the lower animals are disgustingly low.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrogant
• pretentious
• snobbish

More About Patronizing

What does patronizing mean?

Patronizing is an adjective that means displaying condescension toward a person in a way that arrogantly implies that it’s actually kind or helpful to that person.

Patronizing can be used to describe a person or their words, tone, attitude, or actions.

Patronizing is also the continuous (-ing) form of the verb patronize, which means to act toward someone in this way. (A separate sense of patronize means to be a customer—or patron—of a business or other establishment.)

Being patronizing often takes the form of speaking to someone as if they were a child.

Example: Don’t be so patronizing, Jeff—I understand the topic just as well as you do.

Where does patronizing come from?

The base word of patronizing, patron, comes from the Latin patrōnus, meaning “legal protector” or “advocate” (patrōnus comes from the Latin pater, meaning “father”).

To patronize someone in a condescending way is to treat them as if they’re in need of extra help because they’re not capable by themselves. This is often done with a patronizing tone. Condescending and patronizing are often used as synonyms, but they can have slightly different shades of meaning. A person who’s described as condescending is often intentionally trying to display their supposed superiority through their tone. A person who’s patronizing acts as if they need to share their special knowledge to help out people who aren’t as smart as they are—as if they’re doing them a favor. A person who’s described as patronizing may also be telling a person what they think the person wants to hear.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to patronizing?

• patronizingly (adverb)
• patronize (verb)

What are some synonyms for patronizing?

• condescending

What are some words that share a root or word element with patronizing? 

• patron
• patronage
• father

What are some words that often get used in discussing patronizing?

• tone
• attitude
• comment
• reply
• condescend

How is patronizing used in real life?

When used as an adjective, patronizing is always negative.

Men talking to me like I’m their little sister. It’s never OK for anyone to try to talk to me in a patronizing tone. My own father has never spoken to me like that, so I will not give any man (I don’t care who) the permission to speak to me in that tone esp as I do my job.

— Arlyssa Becenti🗞🖊 (@ABecenti) February 12, 2020

Yessss this is a huge pet peeve. (Also hate the use of this word by doctors during medical visits – so patronizing.) https://t.co/W8KzIWlIpT

— Katherine Lewis (@KatherineLewis) July 14, 2020

Girlboss always sounded so patronizing to me. Like “aww look at those adorable girlbosses using their ladybrains.”

— Ria Otero (@RiaOtero) July 12, 2020

 

 

Try using patronizing!

Is patronizing used correctly in the following sentence? 

His tone is always so patronizing—as if I’m not his peer.