as in condescending
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Women are expected to parade their trauma to be heard and then are sometimes given the patronizing title of victim.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2024
One study found that female economists (a field related to finance) were asked more questions than their male counterparts when presenting their work, and the questions were more likely to be patronizing or hostile.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patronizing 
Adjective
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
Women are expected to parade their trauma to be heard and then are sometimes given the patronizing title of victim.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2024
One study found that female economists (a field related to finance) were asked more questions than their male counterparts when presenting their work, and the questions were more likely to be patronizing or hostile.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patronizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizing
Adjective
-
But that’s a pretty mean and condescending way to give constructive criticism.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Trump was behind Sewell, looking on with a condescending smirk, as if to say, Get a load of this guy!—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Musk’s contributions have ranged from endorsing GB News commentator Alex Armstrong’s call to ban Starmer from office (which is not possible under the UK’s constitution), to commenting on Peters’ work.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Congress could pass legislation endorsing the proposal, compelling reason or not.—
Michael Wilner,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The stress of being a loyal husband and father while toiling tirelessly at Spacely Space Sprockets – headed by a domineering man with a Napoleon complex – seems to float away as the zooming saucer-like aero cars with large bubble roofs leave behind popcorn-like residue from fuel pellets and radium.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Discussions about reforming this program have intensified, with some advocating for the removal of country-specific caps on green cards to address extensive backlogs faced by applicants from countries including India.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Within weeks, over one million individuals met with the digital Santa, advocating their right to be on the nice list.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
His pairing with Aho has been as dominant as the MacKinnon-Necas duo … except on the scoreboard.—
Corey Masisak,
The Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The dominant objective of this administration is corruption and lawlessness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
If your current job in comms is growing stale, consider pivoting to supporting an organization fighting climate change.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
-
The design is intended to spur students to leave their rooms and connect with their fellow students, supporting physical and mental health.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
President-Elect Donald Trump is openly disdainful of many governments in Europe and seems willing to walk away from America’s role as the continent’s protector.—
Phillips Payson O’Brien,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2025
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Now, the norms for AI will emerge in a political and cultural environment that's hostile to regulation and disdainful of limits.—
Scott Rosenberg,
Axios,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near patronizing
Cite this Entry
“Patronizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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