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
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The only thing left to contend with is her domineering mother, the formidable 90-year-old Lenore Simmons Krackenberry, who is obsessed with family lineage and Southern heritage.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2025
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Smith is fantastic and terrifying as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the stentorian nurse and housekeeper whose domineering overcautiousness feeds into all the self-pitying inclinations of her poor weakling charge Colin Craven.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2024
Verb
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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
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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
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But will dominant streamer Netflix break its Best Picture losing streak?—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2025
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If Gere, playing the same character in old age, weren’t such a dominant and charismatic presence, Elordi would be the movie’s lead.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If your current job in comms is growing stale, consider pivoting to supporting an organization fighting climate change.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Carter asked Davis to come out of retirement—again—to help lead the process of enacting the speed limit into law and supporting its nationwide promotion.—
Doug Melville,
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 31 Jan. 2025.
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