- 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 a lot of other people who were 30 years old would have probably come in and just either sweated it or been patronizing.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
Angèle’s narrative never catches fire and while Anei is striking as Ada, that section of the film feels slightly patronizing, reducing this immigrant tale to yet another strained salute to perseverance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
Travel is great, and I love patronizing restaurants opened by immigrant chefs who send enticing smells and savory dishes out of their kitchens.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
You know how we adults are inclined to respond to such unbridled optimism: With patronizing pats on the head.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2026
“I’m not sure,” she said, giving me a perfunctory, patronizing smile, “that you’re Princeton material.”
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Vocabulary lists containing patronizing
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The Hunger Games
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