as in condescending
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in cutting
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
a director with an unpleasant habit of patronizing even his most gifted actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in endorsing
to promote the interests or cause of
a company that loyally patronizes the arts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patronizing
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Adjective
Fear-mongering, which comes off equal parts paranoid and patronizing, is the surest way to make people stop listening.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
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Which bear is the most condescending?—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
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And the motivational quotes on the walls are so condescending.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 76ers got small cushions, with the Celtics cutting it to a point three additional times.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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School systems typically cope with declining enrollment by closing schools and cutting staff, among other options.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Huang isn’t just a partner endorsing a partner.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Trump responded by endorsing challengers to state GOP lawmakers who voted against redistricting — and those candidates won on May 5.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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The new biopic of Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua and the Jackson estate paints the gloved one as the one true victim — a harmless Peter Pan figure whose own childhood was snatched away by a domineering father.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Joseph has a cruel and domineering air about him.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Angel Merlos with the Libre Initiative, an organization advocating for economic freedom policies, says the bill is modeled after similar legislation passed in Arizona.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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His career had many milestones, from advocating for Proposition 36 to bringing forth what’s considered by some lawyers as the county’s most complex criminal case in history, stemming from the Esparto fireworks explosion that killed seven people on July 1.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Forward Caleb Malhotra Malhotra, 6-2 and 183 pounds, wrapped up a dominant season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL with 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists).—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
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That same year — 1996 — saw the birth of Fox News Channel and arrival of a new dominant mogul in cable news, Rupert Murdoch.—
David Bauder,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The Barnstable Brown Gala, held annually ahead of the Kentucky Derby, is known for drawing celebrities and high-profile guests while supporting charitable causes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
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Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, one of several key cabinet ministers with close ties in the settler community, has been explicit about his goal of annexing the West Bank and supporting settler expansion.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
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In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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