· the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives"

Synonym(s): backing, backup, championship

Hypernym(s): blessing, approval, approving

· customers collectively; "they have an upper class clientele"

Synonym(s): clientele, business

Hypernym(s): people

· a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

Synonym(s): condescension, disdain

Hypernym(s): disparagement, depreciation, derogation

· (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

Hypernym(s): social_control

· the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers; "even before noon there was a considerable patronage"

Synonym(s): trade

Hypernym(s): business

· support by being a patron of

Hypernym(s): sustain, keep, maintain

· be a regular customer or client of; "We patronize this store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could"

Synonym(s): patronize, patronise, support, keep_going

Hypernym(s): foster, nurture