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- 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
advocate, back, favor, resort |
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| derivation: |
patronizer (n.) |
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