patronize

[ pey-truh-nahyz, pa‑ ]

verb (used with object)

, pa·tron·ized, pa·tron·iz·ing.

1. to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with.
2. to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward:

   a professor who patronizes his students.

3. to act as a patron toward (an artist, institution, etc.); support.

patronize

/ ˈpætrəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to behave or treat in a condescending way
2. tr to act as a patron or patroness by sponsoring or bringing trade to

Derived Forms

• ˈpatronˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• patron·iza·ble adjective
• patron·i·zation noun
• patron·izer noun
• re·patron·ize verb (used with object) repatronized repatronizing
• trans·patron·ize verb (used with object) transpatronized transpatronizing
• un·patron·iza·ble adjective
• well-patron·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of patronize¹

First recorded in 1580–90; patron + -ize

Example Sentences

One post on a Proud Boys channel on Telegram suggested that members avoid the January inauguration: “Stay home or patronize your local watering hole and celebrate the inauguration of our President and the imminent release of our Boys.”

From BBC

To distract from that din, my dad — wearing a Dodgers jersey and hat — rattled off a bunch of long-gone bars he used to patronize on the Eastside.

From Los Angeles Times

There are plenty of good reasons not to patronize Amazon.

From Slate

There are others who feel similarly and choose not to patronize mainland restaurants.

From New York Times

Junk fee protections are especially important in restaurants because so many consumers patronize them, Balber said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deign
• snub