Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for patronize. Search instead for patronizi.
Definitions

patronize

[pey-truh-nahyz, pa‑] / ˈpeɪ trəˌnaɪz, ˈpæ‑ /
VERB
condescend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deign snub
STRONG
favor indulge stoop
WEAK
be gracious to be lofty be overbearing look down on pat on the back talk down to toss a few crumbs treat as inferior treat badly treat like a child
Antonyms
STRONG
hurt
WEAK
antagonize be humble be modest contend ignore oppose use competition
VERB
support a cause
Synonyms
STRONGEST
befriend subscribe to
STRONG
assist back foster fund help maintain promote sponsor
Antonyms
STRONG
condemn discourage hinder hurt ignore neglect stop
WEAK
antagonize be humble be modest contend oppose use competition
VERB
do business at an establishment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frequent
STRONG
buy
WEAK
be a client be a customer buy from deal with give business to purchase from shop at shop with trade with
Antonyms
WEAK
antagonize be humble be modest contend ignore oppose use competition

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Who would patronize these houses of financial ill-repute?

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Practitioners of downward dog and their actual dogs patronize this tangerine-colored canteen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

I’ve been thinking about the nightclubs our community used to frequent and the ones we patronize now.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2025

Azuka said it has resonated with audiences who she was keen not to "patronize".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025

Children were the marketers of the neighborhood and they would only patronize those stores that treated them well.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith