1
as in sponsorship
the financial support and general guidance for an undertaking
a symphony orchestra that had long relied upon the patronage of the city's moneyed old guard
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2
as in business
transactions or economic support provided by customers
he refuses to give his patronage to any corporation that is not socially conscious
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Recent Examples of patronage
Jacksonian patronage became the target for progressive reformers in the late 19th century.
—
Peter Kastor, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
The judge has not yet ruled on a 2009 interview in which Madigan discussed his use of the patronage system.
—Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025
Understanding the competition between these two men helps illuminate Trump’s particular style of governing—one defined by patronage and dealmaking.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
There have also been calls on social media for Canadians to rethink their investments in U.S. companies and their patronage of American firms ranging from McDonald's, Walmart and Microsoft.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronage
Peter Kastor, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
The judge has not yet ruled on a 2009 interview in which Madigan discussed his use of the patronage system.
—Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025
Understanding the competition between these two men helps illuminate Trump’s particular style of governing—one defined by patronage and dealmaking.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
There have also been calls on social media for Canadians to rethink their investments in U.S. companies and their patronage of American firms ranging from McDonald's, Walmart and Microsoft.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patronage
Cite this Entry
“Patronage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patronage. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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