patronize
verb (used with object)
to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with.
patronized
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past participleof patronize.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof patronize.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
patronizeverb (used with object)to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They know when they’re being patronized, even if they don’t always say it.
From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2025
At one point, teammate Kiké Hernández playfully patronized the right-handed pitcher, telling him the misplaced pitches shouldn’t make him feel bad.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2024
She said the East was largely misunderstood by West Germans — belittled, patronized and often ignored.
From New York Times ● Apr. 26, 2024
I never patronized the store, even though it was a block away from my condo, because I was a loyal customer of Bartell Drugs Store No. 1 at Fifth Avenue and Olive Way downtown.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 1, 2024
Neeley would have to come along that great day because girls seldom patronized Charlie’s.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
