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Patronizing: meaning, definitions and examples

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patronizing

 

[ หˆpeษช.trษ™n.aษช.zษชล‹ ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

tone of speech

Showing an attitude of superiority; condescending in a way that may seem friendly or helpful, but actually belittles or undermines the other person's capabilities.

Synonyms

condescending, dismissive, superior

Examples of usage

  • He spoke to her in a patronizing tone, as if she couldn't possibly understand the concept.
  • Don't be so patronizing, I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions.
Context #2 | Verb

behavior

Treating someone with an apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority; to speak or behave towards someone as if they are less intelligent or knowledgeable than oneself.

Synonyms

condescend, look down on, talk down to

Examples of usage

  • She felt insulted by his patronizing behavior towards her colleagues.
  • He constantly patronizes his younger brother, thinking he knows better.

Translations

Translations of the word "patronizing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น condescendente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเค‚เคฐเค•เฅเคทเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช herablassend

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ merendahkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะฑะปะฐะถะปะธะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ protekcjonalny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฉ็€ใ›ใŒใพใ—ใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท condescendant

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ condescendiente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tepeden bakan

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ž˜๋‚œ ์ฒดํ•˜๋Š”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุชุนุงู„ู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ blahosklonnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ blahosklonnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฑ…้ซ˜ไธดไธ‹็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pokroviteljski

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ yfirgangssamur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะตะนั–ั€ั–ะผะดั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ–แƒ”แƒ“แƒ›แƒ”แƒขแƒแƒ“ แƒฅแƒชแƒ”แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yuxarฤฑdan baxan

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ condescendiente

Etymology

The word 'patronize' comes from the late 16th century, originally meaning 'to act as a patron towards'. It later evolved to include the sense of 'treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority'. The negative connotation of being patronizing emerged in the 19th century as a criticism of those who display condescending behavior towards others.

See also: patronizingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,739, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.