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Glite Dictionary
unpatronized

unpatronized

9.1
Having very few customers or visitors
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪzd/
translation icon : sin clientela
  • Her small bookstore remained largely unpatronized despite positive reviews in the local paper.

Examples

  • The once popular café now stands unpatronized after the new shopping mall opened nearby.

  • Many rural bus routes are unpatronized and face the risk of closure.

  • The unpatronized cafe closed after just six months.

  • Many unpatronized shops struggle to survive.

  • The once popular café now stands unpatronized after the new shopping mall opened nearby.

  • Her small bookstore remained largely unpatronized despite positive reviews in the local paper.

  • Many rural bus routes are unpatronized and face the risk of closure.

Synonyms

patronless
vsunpatronized
9.5

Not having many customers or guests

has the same meaning but is a different word form

Antonyms

popular
∞ 1.0

Liked or admired by many people

patronized
  • US
3.8

A place that many regular customers visit often

How Patronized

patronized
  • US
3.8
unpatronized
9.1
deserted
1 3.0

Surface Forms

unpatronized positive

Morphology

unpatronized = patronized (semi-transparent) = un + patron + ize + ed

The structure un- + patronized is clear, but 'patronize/patronized' can be ambiguous (also means 'treat condescendingly'), which may mislead learners.

Etymology

The word unpatronized has the prefix un- meaning 'not' and the root patron meaning 'a customer or supporter', as in a shop's patron. So unpatronized describes a place that is 'not visited' or 'not supported' and therefore has few or no customers.