as in patronizing
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1
as in stooping
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cutting
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of condescending
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
Much like a condescending Twitter mob, After the Hunt has access to academic concepts without the interest in humanity to back it up.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Being condescending, far from being a virtue, is universally acknowledged as a vice.
—Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Adjective
But Chernus talks at us with the condescending zeal of a true music-lover, and his cheeky tirades about the history of jazz — and why Jarrett’s gift for improvisation is unique even in the context of such a freeform genre — are entertaining and educational in equal measure.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
Much like a condescending Twitter mob, After the Hunt has access to academic concepts without the interest in humanity to back it up.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Being condescending, far from being a virtue, is universally acknowledged as a vice.
—Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescending
Adjective
-
Attempts have been so grand as to come off as wildly patronizing.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
John’s patronizing, congratulatory tone with regard to Weisz’s character’s dalliance with Vlad doesn’t help.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Dier was stooping slightly but the Portuguese midfielder’s leg was at least chest-high.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The tricky part of being a celebrity like Firstman on the internet is that some people can conflate your comedic persona (which is maybe a little arrogant, a little colorful) with your real identity.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Hunter is stubborn, arrogant and gifted enough to play for the Briar hockey team, yet refuses to for reasons the show has yet to reveal.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Down at the bottom of the hierarchy, or really not ranked at all, is Lucien (Jérémy Gillet), a fey and cosseted twink of privilege who longs to meet Jim but is kept at home, safely away from anything gay, by his domineering mother.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Arenberg will play the sisters’ domineering father.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Running Furrever Friends is Brandi (Amy Sedaris), a bossy little Shih Tzu, and her owner, Seth (Gil Ozeri).—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The shark is a pleasing stand-in for a big bossy grownup, easily fooled.—
Elise Broach,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Characters are skewed not to create an evenhanded debate but to sensationalize one, with a young fact-minded novice looking to follow the rules is blindsided by a supercilious writer not willing to bend his vision to the needs of editors, fact checkers or even printers or distributors.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
And now the supercilious Ivy League twits try to dodge the consequences of their woke follies.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
24 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Mantello wasn’t being impudent.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
His first goal was pretty enough, an inch-perfect sidefoot just inside Donnarumma’s far post, but his second was a work of impudent art.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescending. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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