patronize
verb/ˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪz/
Frequency rank: #16,860 most common English word
Meaning
To treat someone as if they are less intelligent or capable than they really are.

Example sentence
Some customers feel that the staff tends to patronize them by explaining things they already know.
Synonyms & related words
Practice this word in the quiz
More words in ranks 16,801–16,900
- ousterthe act of forcing someone out of a position or place
- outdoto do better than someone else; to surpass.
- outliveto live longer than another person or thing.
- oxymoronA figure of speech that combines two contradictory or opposite terms.
- palmettoa small palm tree native to the southeastern United States and Caribbean regions.
- phonologicalrelating to the sound system and sound patterns of a language.
- pinkishsomewhat pink in color; having a slight pink tint.
- polymorphismthe occurrence of something in several different forms or types.
- pontoona flat-bottomed boat or floating platform used to support a bridge or other structure.
- postoperativeoccurring or relating to the period following a surgical operation.