patron

noun

ˈpā-trən How to pronounce patron (audio)
Definition of patronnext
1
as in customer
a person who buys a product or uses a service from a business a restaurant patron

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sponsor
a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing the wealthy philanthropist is one of the city's most generous patrons of its symphony orchestra

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in donor
one that helps another with gifts or money the patron for the museum's current blockbuster is the city's biggest banking institution

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of patron The patron stands, hands clasped behind his back, with a foot perched on the box. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Miuccia Prada is one of the world’s great patrons of contemporary art. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 On the new Elk Grove Library’s first day of operation, dozens of patrons made the space their own. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Edge faces three counts of first-degree murder, among other charges, after he was accused of piloting a motorboat up to a waterfront bar in Southport in September 2025 and opening fire on patrons. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patron
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patron
  1. customer
  2. sponsor
  3. donor
  4. client
  5. benefactor
  6. donator
  7. guest
Noun
  • The zine will be a free gift with purchase for the brand’s first few hundred customers.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Dutch semiconductor equipment maker said that some of its customers are expressing interest in placing orders for its critical semiconductor tools for 2029 and 2030 as AI demand remains buoyant.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of customer
Noun
  • Co-founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, Relevent already is selling billions of dollars of Champions League broadcast and sponsor rights for UEFA in a separate club competitions deal running from 2027 to 2033.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Wendy’s joins as the first sponsor of Your Bravoverse at launch, building on its longstanding relationship with Bravo.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of sponsor
Noun
  • In April, the Dells became the first donors to surpass $1 billion in lifetime giving to the University of Texas at Austin.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Graft count, hairline work and beard procedures A patient requesting 5,000 grafts may not need that many, and the donor area may not have enough hair available to support the procedure.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of donor
Noun
  • Walsh is known for styling such clients as Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, Mindy Kaling and Ariana DeBose.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Her defense attorney, Gus Kostopoulos, disputes the allegations and even claimed his client was not involved in the robbery set-up.
    — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of client
Noun
  • Democratic divide As Republican donors open their wallets, some of Democrats’ biggest benefactors are missing from the DNC’s donor rolls.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Harvard and its peer institutions won’t suddenly stop caring about their largest benefactors.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of benefactor
Noun
  • Contributors can transfer stock to the Treasury, which will then invest the funds into accounts in line with the donator’s guidelines.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 6 July 2026
  • That’s the gold standard of cancer designations that allows patients and donators alike to understand Sylvester’s standards.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of donator
Noun
  • The mixtape’s 29 tracks feature guests spanning a range of genres and levels of visibility.
    — Abby Jones, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The event is free, and guests can also roast a hot dog or s’mores over an open fire.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of guest

Phrases Containing patron

Browse Nearby Words

patrols
patron
patronage
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Cite this Entry

“Patron.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patron. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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