Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship. The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority it usually suggests today.

What's an example of patronizing someone?

The definition of patronize is to be kind or helpful to someone, but to talk to them as if they are inferior. An example of patronize is when someone speaks slowly to an older person who can hear perfectly well.

What does it mean when someone says dont patronize me?

If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave toward you in a way that seems friendly, but that shows that they think they are superior to you in some way. [disapproval] Don't you patronize me!