How to Use patronize in a Sentence

patronize

verb
  • The family patronizes the arts.
  • He hated being patronized and pitied by those who didn't believe his story.
  • I patronize the library regularly.
  • Ethan felt patronized by the pop star, and the two didn’t get along.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Nov. 2025
  • None of the johns who patronized the parlor were charged at all.
    — Terry Spencer, The Seattle Times, 31 Mar. 2019
  • Shops are open, sidewalk cafes are well patronized and cars clog the streets.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Don’t patronize, don’t over-explain, don’t talk down to them in any way.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Yet for decades the character felt fixed, as loved as he is patronized.
    — Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, 24 May 2018
  • They have been vilified by many of those on the right and patronized by many of those on the left.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
  • Or would the men be tempted to patronize the women in the style of then-Sen.
    — Robin Abcarian, latimes.com, 28 June 2019
  • But worse than that is the fear that the soldiers just won't patronize their businesses.
    — Anna Fifield, Alaska Dispatch News, 29 July 2017
  • Solomon breaks the news of the landowner to Naomi, and then goes on to patronize her.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
  • From the business side, Airbnbs are a boon — the renters often patronize his bar.
    — New York Times, 19 Mar. 2021
  • Head countered that her intent is not to deny anyone the right to work or patronize a strip club.
    — Greg Larose, NOLA.com, 26 Oct. 2017
  • And then there’s the question of how fake steak will go over with the people who patronize the world’s top restaurants.
    — Paul Tullis, Town & Country, 2 May 2021
  • Those patronizing the bake sale are invited to an open house at the shelter.
    — Carol Kovach, cleveland, 12 Nov. 2019
  • For God’s sake, don’t patronize a restaurant or small business.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Find out what the repair person’s spouse does for work and patronize the living heck out of the business.
    — Kris Frieswick, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2022
  • Please don’t patronize me, or any woman, by assuming the desire to get work done is to fill some soul hole.
    — Sophie Saint Thomas, GQ, 12 July 2017
  • The traumas come from the way people responded, how they’ve been patronized and gaslit and shunned.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 10 June 2026
  • Vera looked through the mesh on the windows at the Black people across the block who patronized a fish store.
    — Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • While the overnight stay is free, members are encouraged to patronize the business where they’re parked.
    — Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Feb. 2022
  • Yet and still, some Black women still unashamedly patronize and promote the brand.
    — Jasmine Browley, Essence, 1 July 2024
  • This is a chance to try special meals and deals, patronize local restaurants — and give to charity.
    — Laura Groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, 25 Jan. 2018
  • Many of the customers who patronize the barber shop grew up here and watched as Rogers developed.
    — Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2020
  • She will not be reduced to a catchphrase or a fond, patronizing toast at Christmas.
    — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
  • The pool and sauna are restricted, but the public can patronize the indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge in the evenings.
    — Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2018
  • The crash came after Earley had patronized three bars earlier in the night.
    — Danny McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023
  • The mystery reader will be bored and the literary reader will be patronized.
    — Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
  • The Medicis continued to patronize some of the era’s greatest artists.
    — Peter Saenger, WSJ, 18 June 2021

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patronize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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