CARD 1 OF 2
patronizing
adjective
Reveal meaning and examples
Treating someone with an air of superiority that appears helpful or kind.
The patronizing explanation annoyed a reader who already knew the subject.
Later, a committee member wrote a sycophantic introduction that lavishly praised the donor's taste in hopes of gaining personal favor. During rehearsal, he became patronizing toward a capable designer, explaining simple tasks as though she could not understand her own work.