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/pˈeɪtrənˌaɪzɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Patronize v. t. (past & past part. patronized; pres. part. patronizing)

To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to favor; to aid. "The idea has been patronized by two States only."

To trade with customarily; to frequent as a customer. (Commercial Cant)

To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and protector, toward; used in an unfavorable sense; as, to patronize one's equals.

adjective

Patronizing adj. Showing condescending favor; assuming the manner of airs of a superior toward another.

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Etymology of 'Patronizing'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Patronizing" Quotes from Famous Books

... that he had once danced with Queen Victoria prior to her ascension to the throne. One day Van Buren met on the street James T. Brady, a lawyer of equal ability and wit, who had recently returned from a visit to England. In a most patronizing manner he inquired whether he had seen the Queen. "Certainly," said Mr. Brady, "and under these circumstances. I was walking along the street when by chance the Queen's carriage overtook me, and the ...

— As I Remember - Recollections of American Society during the Nineteenth Century • Marian Gouverneur

... old. Tom, Dick, and Harry put on the air of graybeards returning, after a half-century of adventure, to their childhood's home, though they left college only last year to go abroad. It was funny to see the patronizing looks they cast on the undergrads we saw; but they were the life of the place for us, all the same, and we felt truly in it, chaperoned by them. Outside college bounds, however, they lost interest. It was Jack who had to tell us about "Brattle." ...

— The Lightning Conductor Discovers America • C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson and A. M. (Alice Muriel)

... sentiment on his part in her regard. Miss Kingsley must have thought differently, for on one or two occasions she was unable to resist the temptation, as they went out of the door together, of looking back at me with an air of triumph. The more Mr. Spence seemed to avoid me, the kinder and more patronizing was her manner; and she so far evinced her friendship presently as to show me the manuscript of a novel which she had written, entitled "Moderation," and which was dedicated "To him to whom I owe all that in me ...

— A Romantic Young Lady • Robert Grant

... these weaknesses would vanish under the inspiring influences of municipal politics; therefore I feel disposed to forgive him, and to attribute to him, not absolute and deliberate insult, so much as a kind of patronizing persiflage. In this case, however, feminists will say that the great Wagner undoubtedly ...

— Bluebeard • Kate Douglas Wiggin

... may think she can exasperate me by patronizing my maid," said Mrs. Salisbury guardedly, when telling her husband and daughter of the affair that evening, "but there is a limit to everything, and I have had about enough of ...

— The Treasure • Kathleen Norris

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