patronises
Treats as inferior
Patronises is the British spelling of patronizes.
To patronise a business is to be its customer: She patronises the local bookshop.
To patronise a person is to treat them as inferior, speaking down to them with condescending kindness: He patronises everyone who hasn't read the classics.
The second sense now dominates.
Speaks condescendingly to
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
supercilious · haughty · sneering · scornful · contemptuous · disdainful · snobbish · infantilizing
Sustains or reinforces
- visitsSocial calls
- clienteleCollective body of customers
- regularOccurring at fixed intervals
- customerBuyer of goods
frequenting · business · commerce · trade · establishment · loyal customer · attends · subscriber
Available financial resources
- backsRear surfaces or supports
- supportsSustains or reinforces
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
underwriting · endowment · grants · donor · contributor · financier · subsidizes · champions
talks down
Speaks condescendingly to
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
condescending · supercilious · haughty · sneering · scornful · contemptuous · disdainful · snobbish · infantilizing · disrespectful
supports
Sustains or reinforces
customer · frequenting · business · commerce · trade · establishment · loyal customer · attends · subscriber · member
funds
Available financial resources
- backsRear surfaces or supports
- supportsSustains or reinforces
- benefactorOne who gives aid
philanthropy · underwriting · endowment · grants · donor · contributor · financier · subsidizes · champions · promotes