What is the difference between "condescending" and "patronizing"?

Solution 1:

There is something of a circular definition at work here: to patronise someone is to behave condescendingly toward them, and to condescend is to behave in an arrogant manner by patronising those whom you consider inferior. I'd say they're fully denotationally equivalent. Connotation-wise, however, there is a slight difference: "patronising" implies behaving as a parent does toward a child, while I think "condescending" is more general.

Solution 2:

Patronize and condescend both denote superiority but are slightly different. To patronize someone could be used to denote a feeling of superiority to someone that isn't overt. Condescension on the other hand is usually overt.

Solution 3:

To condescend is to overtly look down upon people. Patronizing is a little more subtle. For example, people patronize black people and other minorities but it's disguised as "trying to help" them.