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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in patronizing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of condescending
Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
But that’s a pretty mean and condescending way to give constructive criticism.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Trump was behind Sewell, looking on with a condescending smirk, as if to say, Get a load of this guy!
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
This dynamic often arises when one partner unintentionally infantilizes the other, through actions like making decisions on their behalf, questioning their abilities or even adopting a condescending tone during conversations.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Verb
While a condescending Texan harps about the beach’s current conditions— promising a stern meeting with Borowka in between droughts of a local lager—Douglas tells his story.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
But that’s a pretty mean and condescending way to give constructive criticism.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Trump was behind Sewell, looking on with a condescending smirk, as if to say, Get a load of this guy!
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
This dynamic often arises when one partner unintentionally infantilizes the other, through actions like making decisions on their behalf, questioning their abilities or even adopting a condescending tone during conversations.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescending
Adjective
-
There’s just something about it that’s very patronizing.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
29 May 2025
-
There's just something about it that's very patronizing.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns.—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
-
In addition to Sandler, the 2025 film also sees the return of several familiar faces, including Julie Bowen as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s arrogant nemesis; and Ben Stiller as Hal L., the orderly from Happy’s grandmother’s nursing home.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 July 2025
-
My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Charley Ross,
Glamour,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Trump has even been disdainful or dismissive of the United States’ traditional allies, such as Mexico and Argentina.—
Christopher Sabatini,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Nov. 2017
-
Wise minds inside the Trump administration will hopefully choose to drop a suit first introduced during by a Biden administration reflexively disdainful of big.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Moreover, some toddlers can also be quite bossy and demand that pretend play reaches their standards of entertainment and originality, instructing parents on the intricacies of the backstory and dialogue.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
2 July 2025
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Giving a clear direction is different than being bossy!—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Economics, that supercilious, take-me-seriously profession?—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
The show perpetuates corporate media’s retaliation against those who oppose its leftist, Marxist, Communist, socialist agenda — the ideological myth favored by superficial and supercilious showbiz types ever since All the President’s Men and Network.—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Gemma reluctantly agrees to rebuild her impudent robot in a new body, and the sequel ends with an explosive showdown between Amelia and M3GAN, who nearly dies in a noble attempt to save Gemma and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
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One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.—
Sam Davies,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Other young pitchers stepping up in bullpen Nunez was dominant in 11 outings for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate this season, surrendering no runs in 12 1/3 innings of work, and held a 3.86 ERA in four MLB appearances for San Diego.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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And Americans are increasingly skeptical about the value of college, polls have shown, with Republicans, the dominant party in rural America, losing confidence in higher education at higher rates than Democrats.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescending. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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