patronizepat·ron·ize /ˈpætrənaɪzˈpeɪ-, ˈpæ-/ (also patronise British EnglishBrE) verb [transitiveT]1American EnglishAmECOMMERCE to use or visit a particular shop, restaurant, hotel etcMany homosexuals patronize gay-owned companies simply because they feel more comfortable there.
2to speak to someone in a way that suggests that they are not as intelligent as youThe agency has a reputation for patronizing clients who don’t agree with its creative ideas.
3to support or give money to an organization or activityThe State patronizes the arts by designating ten thousand Kuwaiti Dinars annually for the selection and purchase of paintings by Kuwaiti artists.
—patronizing (also patronising British EnglishBrE) adjectiveadjIt’s patronizing not to expect women to fulfill a contract just because they have childcare responsibilities.