patronizes
Supports local shops
Patronizes has two distinct senses.
To patronize a business is to be its customer: She patronizes the local bookshop.
To patronize a person is to treat them as inferior while affecting kindness—speaking down to them, explaining things they already know, or offering help that implies incompetence: He patronizes her by explaining her own field to her.
The condescending sense dominates modern usage.
Visits habitually
- supportsSustains or reinforces
- visitsSocial calls
- customersPeople who purchase goods
- regularsHabitual visitors
clientele · purchases · spends · loyal · establishments · restaurants · stores · merchants
Diminishes someone's worth
- talks downSpeaks condescendingly to
- demeansCauses loss of dignity
- dismissesTerminates or rejects
- disrespectsShows lack of regard
superiority · arrogance · snobbishness · disdains · infantilizes · lectures · mansplains · humiliates
Available financial resources
- subsidizesPartially finances something
- bankrollsFinancially supports a venture
- financesMonetary affairs
- supportsSustains or reinforces
benefactor · endows · commissions · underwrites · donors · philanthropist · arts · charitable
frequents
Visits habitually
regulars · clientele · purchases · spends · loyal · establishments · restaurants · stores · merchants · vendors
belittles
Diminishes someone's worth
- talks downSpeaks condescendingly to
- demeansCauses loss of dignity
- dismissesTerminates or rejects
disrespects · superiority · arrogance · snobbishness · disdains · infantilizes · lectures · mansplains · humiliates · looks down on
funds
Available financial resources
- subsidizesPartially finances something
- bankrollsFinancially supports a venture
- financesMonetary affairs
supports · benefactor · endows · commissions · underwrites · donors · philanthropist · arts · charitable · contributes
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, denounces, censures