patronize

Treat as inferior

Patronize has two main threads.

One is to be a customer or supporter: She patronizes local businesses, a wealthy family that patronized the arts.

The other is to treat someone as inferior while appearing kind or helpful—being condescending: Don't patronize me.

The first sense is neutral; the second is always negative.

Context usually makes clear which is meant, though the condescending sense has become dominant in everyday speech.

sponsorship

sponsor

Funder of activities

  • fundReserved money supply
  • supportTo uphold or sustain
  • backReverse side; support

benefactor · endow · underwrite · subsidize · donate · finance · philanthropy · grant · backing · contributor

condescension

condescending

Superior and dismissive manner

paternalistic · dismissive · superiority · haughty · snub · sneering · supercilious · snobbish · contemptuous · arrogant

business

shop

Retail sales venue

purchase · retail · establishment · boutique · restaurant · vendor · merchant · commerce · do business

customer

shopper

One who purchases goods

  • buyerOne who acquires things
  • regularOccurring at fixed intervals
  • clientOne who hires professionals

frequenter · consumer · guest · visitor · loyal customer · clientele · trade · account · purchaser · browser

Categories
Opposites
condescension vs. respect

patronizerespect

Regard with honor

esteem · look up to · admire · honor · revere

commercial support vs. avoidance

patronizeboycott

Organized economic protest

avoid · shun · stay away from · ignore · blacklist

sponsorship and support vs. opposition

patronizeoppose

Act against something

undermine · sabotage · thwart · hinder · antagonize

Family

patronizing, patronized, patronizes, patronise, patronising, patronised, patronises

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G