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Definitions

patron

[pey-truhn] / ˈpeɪ trən /
NOUN
person who supports a cause
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate backer benefactor fan friend leader philanthropist sponsor supporter well-wisher
STRONG
angel booster champion defender front guarantor guardian guide head helper partisan protector surety sympathizer
WEAK
encourager fairy godparent financer patron saint
Antonyms
STRONGEST
antagonist enemy opponent opposer
STRONG
rear
WEAK
detractor employee manager opposition owner
NOUN
person who does business at establishment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buyer client customer shopper
STRONG
frequenter purchaser
WEAK
habitué
Antonyms
STRONGEST
owner
WEAK
detractor employee enemy manager opponent opposition

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

More gave Holbein a place to stay while the painter was in London and became his most important patron during his two-year sojourn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Two organisations of which Mette-Marit was patron have already ended their collaboration with her while others have asked for an explanation.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Also, if I’m a longtime patron of the business, I make note of that.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

He was known as a prominent patron of the arts.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Beyond that she appears to be just a young woman in a blue coat, wandering the circus as any other patron might.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern