patronize

/ˈpeɪtrənaɪz/

/ˈpætrənaɪz/

Other forms: patronized; patronizing; patronizes

If you patronize a business, you shop there regularly. But if someone patronizes you, it's not so pleasant — they talk to you as if you were inferior or not very intelligent.

Patronize comes from Latin patronus "protector, master," related to pater "father." So if you patronize a person, you talk down to them like a father might do to his child or a master to his apprentice. If you want to take an advanced class and your advisor warns you of all the hard work, you can tell him to stop patronizing you — you know a hard class involves hard work. This sounds much better than saying, "I'm not stupid!"

Definitions of patronize

1. verb

   assume sponsorship of
   synonyms: patronise, sponsor

   types:

   cosponsor

   sponsor together with another sponsor

   type of:

   support

   support materially or financially
2. verb

   be a regular customer or client of
   “We patronize this store”

   synonyms: keep going, patronage, patronise, support

   keep going, run on

   continue uninterrupted

   type of:

   foster, nurture

   help develop, help grow
3. verb

   do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
   synonyms: buy at, frequent, patronise, shop, shop at, sponsor

   antonyms:

   boycott

   refuse to sponsor; refuse to do business with

   type of:

   back up, support

   give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to
4. verb

   treat condescendingly
   synonyms: condescend, patronise

   types:

   stoop to

   make concessions to

   type of:

   interact

   act together or towards others or with others