PATRONIZE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

patronize

verb

ˈpā-trə-ˌnīz

Definition of patronize

as in to condescend

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

Relevance

as in to endorse

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 patronize Penelope is unable to just govern Ithaca herself and is besieged by the suitors and patronized by her son; Helen is kidnapped by Paris (or is given to him as a prize by Aphrodite or elopes with him), setting off the Trojan War. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 Generations of Argentines have patronized Mercado Buenos Aires. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 The letter explained in patronizing terms how the English government worked. — Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 There were few international visitors, an absence that has perplexed business owners who banked on hundreds of thousands of new faces to patronize their establishments. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for patronize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patronize

Verb

The person who blows up at a subordinate under stress has usually been subtly condescending in one-on-ones for months.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
When the two first meet in a dressing room during the pilot, Jaymes is gracious while Barnes is condescending.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of condescend

Verb

Neither rabbi endorsed the Met’s decision to honor Galliano, however.

— Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Candidates including Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer paid thousands of dollars to influencers who posted videos endorsing Steyer or talking about him in a positive light.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of endorse

Verb

The threat of shortages pushed countries across Asia to impose export bans, cut import duties, and start rationing fuel to maintain supplies.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Unlike the heavy smoky eyes and cut creases of the 2010s, this trend is throwing it back to the 1990s when smoky eyes were more minimalist.

— Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

Environmental groups advocated for SB 954 over concerns that the CEQA exemption could allow heavily polluting facilities to bypass environmental review.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Insisting on tax cuts and voting for politicians who will, of course, advocate them, has exacerbated the problem.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocate

Verb

Our team of Victim Advocates are supporting those involved in what happened today.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Easley said a community gathering organized in support of the brewery on Saturday drew a large crowd, with some of the drag brunch’s vendors and a food truck showing up to support the brewery.

— Evan Moore August 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

patronesses

patronize

patronized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Patronize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of patronize

verb

Example Sentences

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