patronizes

verb

present tense third-person singular of patronize
1
as in condescends
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

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2
as in endorses
to promote the interests or cause of a company that loyally patronizes the arts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of patronizes Liam, the brother who clearly wanted this reunion the most, and wore the inability to re-consummate the brotherly relationship like an open wound, is still given mostly to jokes on stage more than serious statements or anything that patronizes the audience. — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronizes
  1. condescends
  2. endorses
  3. cuts
  4. advocates
  5. supports
Verb
  • The dedicated cast never condescends.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
  • But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated.
    — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of condescends
Verb
  • The court’s 6-3 decision in Slaughter also effectively endorses the unitary executive theory, thereby greatly expanding the power of the president.
    — Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • Today, the 20-minute rule remains one of the foundational pillars of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) — a treatment that Walker notes the American Academy of Sleep Medicine endorses as the first-line approach for chronic insomnia, ahead of pharmaceutical interventions.
    — Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Definition of endorses
Verb
  • When a company cuts its dividend, the stock tanks—that’s the bad scenario.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • There are a few loadouts available at HP's site, but the best overall deal is on this model, which cuts a full 50% off.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026
Definition of cuts
Verb
  • The group advocates for civil rights protections for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Civil liberties advocates say Streever's email is not a threat.
    — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026
Definition of advocates
Verb
  • Update a profile photo or choose one small habit that supports your body and mood.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Tulloss said his organization supports creating a pathway to citizenship for the city’s undocumented immigrants.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of supports

Browse Nearby Words

patronized
patronizes
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Cite this Entry

“Patronizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronizes. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patronizes

Nglish: Translation of patronizes for Spanish Speakers

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