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Definitions

patronizing

[pey-truh-nahy-zing, pa-] / ˈpeɪ trəˌnaɪ zɪŋ, ˈpæ- /
ADJECTIVE
condescending
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble unconceited


NOUN
condescension
Synonyms
Antonyms


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.

He said it’s patronizing to minorities when critics argue it’s hard for them to get identification.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

You can empathize with your friend without demonizing your own position or patronizing her by saying everything will be OK.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

A spokeswoman for Ruemmler said that in her message to Epstein, she was “obviously patronizing him.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Epstein had made donations to Krauss’ Origins Project, part of his larger patronizing of the sciences.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2026

I now had more money than I had ever had before, and I began patronizing secondhand bookstores, buying magazines and books.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright




Vocabulary lists containing patronizing