patronizing
Treating others childishly
Patronizing describes behavior that treats others as inferior while maintaining a veneer of kindness or helpfulness.
A patronizing tone or manner conveys condescension—the speaker implies they know better than the person they're addressing.
She found his patronizing explanations insulting.
The word can describe speech, attitudes, or actions that seem supportive but actually belittle: His patronizing smile made her feel like a child.
The related verb patronize can mean either to condescend to someone or simply to be a customer of a business.
Superior and dismissive manner
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
smug · haughty · snobbish · contemptuous · arrogant · pompous · overbearing · dismissive
Generous giving for others
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- donorOne who contributes freely
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
donation · contribution · grants · scholarship · funding · Medici · benefaction · underwriting
Guidance from experienced person
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- fosteringPromoting development or growth
nurturing · advocacy · championing · backing · endorsement · sponsorship · empowerment · reassurance
condescending
Superior and dismissive manner
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
disdainful · smug · haughty · snobbish · contemptuous · arrogant · pompous · overbearing · dismissive · sneering
philanthropy
Generous giving for others
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- donorOne who contributes freely
endowment · donation · contribution · grants · scholarship · funding · Medici · benefaction · underwriting · subsidy
mentorship
Guidance from experienced person
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- coachingGuiding others to improve
fostering · nurturing · advocacy · championing · backing · endorsement · sponsorship · empowerment · reassurance · affirmation
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- condescendingdisdainful, scornful, dismissive, belittling, demeaning
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
patronizingrespectful
Showing proper regard
humble · egalitarian · unpretentious · considerate · gracious
patronizingdeferential
Showing humble submission
humble · self-effacing · modest · unassuming · lowly