patronize
/ˈpeɪtɹəˌnaɪz/ verb C2- To act as a patron of; to defend, protect, or support.
- To be a customer of (an establishment), especially a regular customer.
- To treat condescendingly; to talk down to. · Near-synonyms: condescend, infantilize, denigrate
He/she/it patronizes · Past patronized · Past participle patronized · -ing form patronizing
Verb forms
- Base form
- patronize
- He/she/it
- patronizes
- Past
- patronized
- Past participle
- patronized
- -ing form
- patronizing
From the library
“Come nearer,” said the magistrate, with a patronizing wave of the hand, “and tell me to what circumstance I owe the honor of this visit.”
What encouraged me not to become your surety, but to patronize you?—your father’s name, so well known in Italy and so highly honored.
Learn patronize in real texts
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