patronizing [pey -truh -nahy-zing, pa -] adjective displaying or indicative of an offensively condescending manner: a patronizing greeting, accompanied by a gentle pat on the pack.
Related forms 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 verb (used with object), pa·tron·ized, pa·tron·iz·ing. to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage ; trade with. to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward: a professor who patronizes his students.
to act as a patron toward (an artist, institution, etc.); support. Show More
Also especially British pa·tron·ise .
Origin of patronize First recorded in
1580–90; patron +
-ize Related forms 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. 2019
Examples from the Web for patronizing Contemporary Examples of patronizing It is loathed by some critics who find it patronizing , silly, and superficial.
Among the explorers, a state of mind developed that was patronizing and paternalistic.
The psychological warfare can also be seen in the patronizing tone Democratic officials are now taking toward the Republicans.
Still, there is a fine line between pandering and patronizing .
And unfortunately, the result of this patronizing and destructive attitude will be the death of the two-state solution.
Historical Examples of patronizing Jacques patronizing the fool, is one of the rarest shows of self-ignorance.
Stella was very kind to me, but in a superior, patronizing way.
Some fell to patronizing him, some to advising him, and some to sneering at the hubbub he was making.
He was referring, of course, to his having branched out into patronizing the Arts.
"She won't be patronizing Elinor after this," thought Patricia with a chuckle.
British Dictionary definitions for patronizing adjective having a superior manner; condescending
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Derived Forms patronizingly or patronisingly , adverb verb to behave or treat in a condescending way
(tr) to act as a patron or patroness by sponsoring or bringing trade to
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Derived Forms patronizer or patroniser , noun Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for patronizing adj. 1727, past participle adjective from patronize . Related: Patronizingly .
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v. 1580s, "to act as a patron towards," from patron + -ize , or from Old French patroniser . Meaning "treat in a condescending way" is first attested 1797; sense of "give regular business to" is from 1801. Related: Patronized ; patronizing .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
