patronizing

adjective

pa·​tron·​iz·​ing ˈpā-trə-ˌnī-ziŋ 

ˈpa-

: showing or characterized by a superior attitude towards others : marked by condescension

patronizing comments

No more endearing is his patronizing jocularity …

—Marilyn Stasio

They say that by continuing to focus solely on the winners, historians have been as patronizing to their subjects as the colonialists themselves.

—Ethan Bronner

… without being patronizing, she helps her Maasai friends with everything from land disputes to school problems.

—The New Yorker

patronizingly

ˈpā-trə-ˌnī-ziŋ-lē 

ˈpa-

adverb

Throughout the evening, we've watched Stein alternate between patronizingly taking the students to task for their ignorance and spinning hilariously self-serving tales about his own accomplishments and famous friends.

—Elisabeth Vincentelli

patronizingness noun

… behaved with an uncertain mixture of sympathy, patronizingness and control.

—Anna Grimshaw

Examples of patronizing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Being cut out of a Malick movie is nothing new, but even in a small role, Clooney is effective as a commanding officer who gives a patronizing speech near the end of The Thin Red Line after our main characters have gone through hell yet again. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024

Responses on social media suggested , with many considering his remarks to be disrespectful and patronizing. —Theo Burman, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

He’s less immediately impressed by her, which feels more realistic and less patronizing. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024

Don’t sound too cheesy or patronizing, be honest, and maintain professionalism. —Sho Dewan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above