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patronize
countenance

pa·tron·ize

patronize

 
 
pronunciation:
peI tr naIz  for senses 1 and 2 [or] pae tr naIz  for sense 3
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: patronizes, patronizing, patronized
definition 1: to be a customer or client of, esp. on a regular basis.
Fewer people are patronizing the stores at the mall since online shopping has become more popular.
similar words:
frequent, visit
definition 2: to serve as a guardian, supporter, or sponsor of.
Many of the town's businesses patronize the local theater group.
synonyms:
back, maintain, sponsor
similar words:
assist, bankroll, befriend, cultivate, finance, fund, help, promote, subsidize, support
definition 3: to act in an offensively superior manner toward.
Don't patronize me just because I'm old; I'm perfectly capable of understanding the contract without your simplifications.
synonyms:
condescend, talk down to
similar words:
belittle, depreciate, disdain, disparage, humiliate, humor, insult
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: patronizer (n.)
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature