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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of condescend
Some of it reflects condescending attitudes that poor people don't know what's good for them.
—
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Gone are the days when Carl Van Vechten, an overreaching, condescending patron of the Harlem Renaissance, was considered an exploiter.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 May 2025
The movie was somewhat progressive for its time in discussing the gay community in a not-always condescending way.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 31 May 2025
The tone often shifts from helpful to condescending.
—Diana Spehar, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Gone are the days when Carl Van Vechten, an overreaching, condescending patron of the Harlem Renaissance, was considered an exploiter.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 May 2025
The movie was somewhat progressive for its time in discussing the gay community in a not-always condescending way.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 31 May 2025
The tone often shifts from helpful to condescending.
—Diana Spehar, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
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Age had stooped his back and shrunk him to his bones.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
20 July 2025
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Starmer stooped to pick them up, later explaining that he was compelled to ditch diplomatic decorum because anyone else trying to help risked spooking the president’s security team.—
Rob Gillies,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week kicks off Monday, giving food lovers in the Queen City the chance to patronize their favorite local restaurants or try something completely new – and hopefully delicious.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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Some even receive pushback and patronizing messages from professionals.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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