patronising Definition
- 1treating someone as if they are less intelligent or knowledgeable than oneself
- 2condescending
Using patronising: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "patronising" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I hate the way he talks to me - it's so patronising.
Example
She had a patronising attitude towards her colleagues.
Example
His tone was patronising and dismissive.
Example
The teacher's patronising manner made the students feel uncomfortable.
patronising Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for patronising
- condescending
- superior
- snobbish
- haughty
- disdainful
Antonyms for patronising
Phrases with patronising
a smile that is intended to show that the person smiling feels superior to the person they are smiling at
Example
He gave me a patronising smile and said, 'Don't worry, dear. You'll understand when you're older.'
a tone of voice that is intended to show that the speaker feels superior to the listener
Example
She spoke to me in a patronising tone, as if I were a child.
behavior that is intended to show that the person behaving feels superior to the person they are interacting with
Example
His patronising behavior towards his colleagues made him very unpopular in the office.
Origins of patronising
from patronize, meaning 'to act as a patron to' or 'to treat condescendingly'
Summary: patronising in Brief
'Patronising' [ˈpeɪtrənaɪzɪŋ] is an adjective used to describe the act of treating someone as if they are less intelligent or knowledgeable than oneself. It is often characterized by a condescending attitude, as in 'His tone was patronising and dismissive.' Synonyms include 'condescending,' 'superior,' 'snobbish,' and 'disdainful.'
