- present participle of patronize.
patronizing
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.
I think there’s nothing cooler than when you meet an artist who had a storied career and they seem completely down to earth and easy to talk to, and not condescending or patronizing.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
You can empathize with your friend without demonizing your own position or patronizing her by saying everything will be OK.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026
Also, a 2021 study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research documented hostile environments in economics seminars, with female presenters experiencing more interruptions and encountering more patronizing behavior.
From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026
Xavier is much older than she is and seems, frankly, somewhat stupid and patronizing, but the narrator is nevertheless tormented by her feelings for him.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
She gives me a patronizing look, the way people sometimes look at children when they act too adult, and snatches the flag from the branch.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Vocabulary lists containing patronizing
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Hunger Games
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
