patronize
/ˈpeɪt(ʃ)ɹənaɪz/
Group 32Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority; to frequent as a customer GRE
Example in Context
The consultant's patronizing tone during the presentation offended the experienced professionals who had invited her to share, not lecture.
Synonyms
talk down tocondescendbelittle
Etymology
A 'patron' is a protector, but when someone PATRONIZES, they act superior while pretending to be kind.
- patronus (Latin) — protector or master
Memory Aid
👃Sounds like “pat your nose”
Imagine someone PATting their NOSE while saying, 'Oh, sweetie, you did your best' — that's PATRONIZING!
Visual Association
🎩A fancy man in a top hat looking down at a peasant, pretending to be kind while clearly feeling superior.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “patronize” mean on the GRE?
patronize (verb) means “To treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority; to frequent as a customer”. The consultant's patronizing tone during the presentation offended the experienced professionals who had invited her to share, not lecture.
How to remember “patronize” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “patronize” sounds like “pat your nose”. Imagine someone PATting their NOSE while saying, 'Oh, sweetie, you did your best' — that's PATRONIZING!
What are synonyms for “patronize”?
Common synonyms: talk down to, condescend, belittle.