Patronize

To treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority; to talk down to. It can also mean to support or be a patron of something, such as a business, charity, or the arts. The act of patronizing often involves belittling or condescending behavior, making the recipient feel as though they are not being taken seriously or are not capable of understanding. This behavior can stem from feelings of superiority and lead to strained relationships and undermine genuine support.

Patronize meaning with examples

• The older gentleman patronized the young waiter, constantly correcting his pronunciation and suggesting he didn't understand fine dining. He made the waiter feel insecure and incompetent, instead of offering helpful, constructive feedback. It left the waiter feeling humiliated and the other customers uncomfortable.
• As a wealthy donor, she patronized the local art gallery, providing generous funding. However, her actions were driven by ego and a desire to appear philanthropic. She rarely visited, failed to attend any opening exhibitions and would often interrupt the director to suggest how to make the gallery 'more appealing'.
• He patronized the small business, claiming he wanted to help. He made unreasonable demands, negotiated unfairly, and frequently belittled the owner’s suggestions. He took advantage of their eagerness to get new business, and eventually they lost a lot of money and the business declined.
• During the presentation, the professor patronized the students by using overly simplistic language and assuming they wouldn’t grasp complex concepts. This created a less engaging experience for all, and was counterproductive. Most of the class lost any respect they had for him.