1
as in to stoop
to descend to a level that is beneath one's dignity
I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race
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2
as in to patronize
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations
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Recent Examples of condescend
Wendy is condescending, and even in their back and forth displayed all of the dismissive and snide psychoanalysis that Angel was alleging, but her inability to land zingers is always going to leave her on her back foot.
—
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
What makes Hudson’s performance so potent is its refusal to condescend.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
There are also forms of touch that are used to convey dominance or assert power, or to condescend or signal a superior role.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
These can often be perceived as condescending, disguising advice within a seemingly innocuous question.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
What makes Hudson’s performance so potent is its refusal to condescend.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
There are also forms of touch that are used to convey dominance or assert power, or to condescend or signal a superior role.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
These can often be perceived as condescending, disguising advice within a seemingly innocuous question.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
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Twain, of course, never stooped to fart jokes or hunchback gags in pursuit of a giggle.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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High-torque joints in the waist enable deep squatting and stooping, supporting operations that require strength and flexibility.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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According to a press release, more than 82 million passengers patronized Denver's airport.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.—
Nahid Siamdoust,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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