Advertisement
Advertisement
condescending
[kon-duh-sen-ding]
adjective
showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority.
They resented the older neighbors' condescending cordiality.
Synonyms: , ,
Other 51³Ō¹Ļ Forms
- condescendingly adverb
- noncondescending adjective
- noncondescendingly adverb
- noncondescendingness noun
- uncondescending adjective
- uncondescendingly adverb
51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins
Origin of condescending1
Example Sentences
Harrison projects a ferocious determination thatās paired with an intense loathing for this condescending, demented misogynist.
That's especially aggravating in light of the reports that the White House is entertaining condescending policy pitches aimed at "persuading" women to have more children.
Though they all slot into known archetypes ā the steely yet vulnerable āfinal girl,ā the condescending jock, the sarcastic pal, the kooky yet intuitive bestie ā theyāre all fully formed characters, sardonic and self-aware.
Millaās choices are vexing, but her frustration with the condescending medical establishment is also understandable.
Ms Rose added that a response she received from an assistant chief constable had been "condescending."
Advertisement
Related 51³Ō¹Ļs
When To Use
To be condescending is to interact with others in a way that implies that youāre superior to them. It especially refers to when this is done in an arrogant or patronizing wayāmeaning when you act as if youāre doing someone a favor by supposedly lowering yourself to their level of understanding or intelligence.Condescending is always used negatively and implies that such behavior is insulting to the person or people itās directed toward.The word can be used to describe a person, their actions, or their words. Itās especially applied to words like comment, tone, and attitude. Being condescending often involves not only what is said, but also how itās said. A condescending tone is often one that sounds like itās directed at a child.Condescending is most commonly used as an adjective, but itās also the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb condescend, which most commonly means to act in this way. The act of doing so is called condescension.Example: You donāt have to be so condescending by explaining it to me with small wordsāI understand the topic just fine.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse