If you say that someone is condescending, you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they talk or behave in a way which shows that they think they are superior to other people.
[disapproval]
I'm fed up with your money and your whole condescending attitude.
They can be a bit condescending.
Synonyms: patronizing, lordly, superior, lofty More Synonyms of condescending
condescendinglygraded adverb [ADVERB after verb]
'The practical work you did was of great value,' he went on condescendingly.
condescending in British English
(ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ)
adjective
showing or implying condescension by stooping to the level of one's inferiors, esp in a patronizing way
Derived forms
condescendingly (ˌcondeˈscendingly)
adverb
condescending in American English
(ˌkɑndɪˈsɛndɪŋ)
adjective
showing condescension; esp., patronizing
Derived forms
condescendingly (ˌcondeˈscendingly)
adverb
Examples of 'condescending' in a sentence
condescending
`So you Barn owls say," the Tawny drawled in his rather condescending tone.
Hocke, Martin THE ANCIENT AND SOLITARY REIGN (1989)
The desk behind which the condescending receptionist normally sat was empty.
Malcolm, John GOTHIC PURSUIT (1989)
A slight and condescending smile had taken over Sir Richard's face.
Malcolm, John THE GWEN JOHN SCULPTURE (1989)
Julia sets her purse familiarly on the piano as Dinah stares, patient and condescending, at the ceiling.
Lordan, Beth AUGUST HEAT (1989)
In other languages
condescending
British English: condescending ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone is condescending, you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they talk or behave in a way which shows that they think they are superior to other people.
I'm fed up with your money and your whole condescending attitude.
American English: condescending
Brazilian Portuguese: condescendente
Chinese: 显得高人一等的
European Spanish: condescendiente
French: condescendant
German: herablassend
Italian: condiscendente
Japanese: 尊大な
Korean: 잘난 체 하는
European Portuguese: condescendente
Latin American Spanish: condescendiente
(adjective)
I'm fed up with your condescending attitude.
Synonyms
patronizing
a patronizing attitude to the homeless
lordly
their lordly indifference to patients
superior
Finch gave a superior smile.
lofty
the lofty disdain he often expresses for his profession
snooty (informal)
snooty intellectuals
snobbish
I'd expected her to be snobbish but she was warm and friendly.
disdainful
He gave us a disdainful glance and moved on.
supercilious
His manner is supercilious and arrogant.
toffee-nosed (slang, mainly British)
on your high horse (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disdainful
He gave us a disdainful glance and moved on.
Synonyms
contemptuous,
scornful,
arrogant,
superior,
proud,
sneering,
aloof,
haughty,
derisive,
supercilious,
high and mighty (informal),
hoity-toity (informal),
turning up your nose (at),
on your high horse (informal),
looking down your nose (at)
in the sense of lofty
Definition
unpleasantly superior
the lofty disdain he often expresses for his profession