patronizing

[ pey-truh-nahy-zing, pa- ]

adjective

1. displaying or indicative of an offensively condescending manner:

   a patronizing greeting, accompanied by a gentle pat on the back.

patronizing

/ ˈpætrəˌnaɪzɪŋ /

adjective

1. having a superior manner; condescending

Derived Forms

• ˈpatronˌizingly, adverb

Other Words From

• patron·izing·ly adverb
• non·patron·izing adjective
• quasi-patron·izing adjective
• quasi-patron·izing·ly adverb
• un·patron·izing adjective
• un·patron·izing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of patronizing¹

First recorded in 1720–30; patronize + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“There’s this patronizing tone,” he told me.

From Slate

As a politician, he courts the center by patronizing what he sees as the fringe.

From Salon

In hindsight, Walz’s actions feel, to me at least, more patronizing than liberating.

From Salon

Trump’s term in office was marked by concerns that foreign governments sought to curry favor by patronizing his businesses, including his Washington, D.C., hotel.

From Salon

Two years of patronizing tones from the rest of the Big Ten Conference suggested as much about USC, which, until this fall, hadn’t offered much reason to believe it belonged in such a weight class.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• pretentious
• snobbish