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

Other Word Forms

• patronizingly adverb
• nonpatronizing adjective
• quasi-patronizing adjective
• quasi-patronizingly adverb
• unpatronizing adjective
• unpatronizingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of patronizing¹

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

Example Sentences

The late Norman Lear, who produced “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times” alongside “Sanford,” sounds a little patronizing, or perhaps just defensive, on the subject of not using Black writers on his Black shows.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think I need to find a balance of contextualizing it without thinking like I’m patronizing people.”

From Los Angeles Times

A variety of individuals told The Times they feel betrayed by Disney, known for its inclusivity, and are reconsidering patronizing its parks after changes to Disney’s Disability Access Service, or DAS, pass.

From Los Angeles Times

As patronizing and silly as it sounds, there is no historic precedent for this moment.

From Los Angeles Times

Ethiopians knew it was Christmas in the winter of 1984, and they know it now — despite the song’s patronizing question.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant 
• pretentious 
• snobbish 

When To Use

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.