condescending

adjective

con·de·scend·ing ˌkän-di-ˈsen-diŋ How to pronounce condescending (audio)

: showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others

condescendingly

ˌkän-di-ˈsen-diŋ-lē How to pronounce condescending (audio)

adverb

Did you know?

What is the difference between condescending and patronizing?

Very few words in English have exactly the same meaning; even words which appear to be entirely synonymous often will be found to have small differences in certain contexts. The words condescending and patronizing present a fine example of this. At first glance these words appear to be defined somewhat circularly: condescending often has the word "patronizing" in its definition, and patronize is defined, in part, as “to adopt an air of condescension toward.”

But both of these words have specialized senses that lend a shade of meaning to their synonymous senses. Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship.

The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority it usually suggests today. It could mean literally "to go or come down" or, figuratively, "to willingly lower oneself to another’s level," senses that are still occasionally encountered in writings on the Bible. The idea of self-consciously lowering oneself is implied in the "patronizing" sense of condescending.

Example Sentences

The next big sequel to roll off the assembly line (awful, condescending phrase, but this is a case of what you have to do when the shoe fits) is going to be a sequel to "Rebecca," Daphne du Maurier's classic 1930's suspense novel.

Stephen King, New York Times Book Review, 6 June 1993 … when the picturesque was seen close up, the "happy poverty" of the peasant was not always happy. There was something unpleasantly condescending, an element of esthetic slumming in the tourist's or the artist's view of picturesqueness.

Anatole Broyard, New York Times Book Review, 1 Oct. 1989 I always imagined publishers were rather snarky and condescending and made a point of crabbing one's work, but he didn't a bit.

Elizabeth Bowen, letter, 19 Jan. 1923 His comments were offensive and condescending to us.

Recent Examples on the Web Laura chats Irina’s friends, who are vaguely snobby and maddeningly condescending.

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2022 Rifkin is not part of the movie industry, but his parasitic relationship to film culture is pompous and condescending.

Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022 Layers of satire ensure no one who appears on the panel — the condescending White professor, the antagonizing host, Paper Boi himself — goes unchecked.

Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2021 To not recognize that or, worse, to disrespect it, is both condescending and simple-minded.

Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 10 July 2020 Are these speakers being courteous or condescending?

Annie Lane, oregonlive, 4 June 2020 Discuss the reasoning behind such recaps, and what could seem condescending becomes a stopgap.

Gwen Moran, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2020 The two senators said the explanation from officials, including Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, was inadequate and condescending.

Daniel Flatley, Bloomberg.com, 10 May 2020 Behold: The slightly condescending, often laughable Valentine’s Day memes.

Stephanie Toone, ajc, 13 Feb. 2020 See More

单词	condescending
释义	condescending adjective con·de·scend·ing ˌkän-di-ˈsen-diŋ : showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others condescendingly ˌkän-di-ˈsen-diŋ-lē adverb Did you know? What is the difference between condescending and patronizing? Very few words in English have exactly the same meaning; even words which appear to be entirely synonymous often will be found to have small differences in certain contexts. The words condescending and patronizing present a fine example of this. At first glance these words appear to be defined somewhat circularly: condescending often has the word "patronizing" in its definition, and patronize is defined, in part, as “to adopt an air of condescension toward.” But both of these words have specialized senses that lend a shade of meaning to their synonymous senses. Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship. The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority it usually suggests today. It could mean literally "to go or come down" or, figuratively, "to willingly lower oneself to another’s level," senses that are still occasionally encountered in writings on the Bible. The idea of self-consciously lowering oneself is implied in the "patronizing" sense of condescending. Example Sentences The next big sequel to roll off the assembly line (awful, condescending phrase, but this is a case of what you have to do when the shoe fits) is going to be a sequel to "Rebecca," Daphne du Maurier's classic 1930's suspense novel. Stephen King, New York Times Book Review, 6 June 1993 … when the picturesque was seen close up, the "happy poverty" of the peasant was not always happy. There was something unpleasantly condescending, an element of esthetic slumming in the tourist's or the artist's view of picturesqueness. Anatole Broyard, New York Times Book Review, 1 Oct. 1989 I always imagined publishers were rather snarky and condescending and made a point of crabbing one's work, but he didn't a bit. Elizabeth Bowen, letter, 19 Jan. 1923 His comments were offensive and condescending to us. Recent Examples on the Web Laura chats Irina’s friends, who are vaguely snobby and maddeningly condescending. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2022 Rifkin is not part of the movie industry, but his parasitic relationship to film culture is pompous and condescending. Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022 Layers of satire ensure no one who appears on the panel — the condescending White professor, the antagonizing host, Paper Boi himself — goes unchecked. Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2021 To not recognize that or, worse, to disrespect it, is both condescending and simple-minded. Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 10 July 2020 Are these speakers being courteous or condescending? Annie Lane, oregonlive, 4 June 2020 Discuss the reasoning behind such recaps, and what could seem condescending becomes a stopgap. Gwen Moran, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2020 The two senators said the explanation from officials, including Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, was inadequate and condescending. Daniel Flatley, Bloomberg.com, 10 May 2020 Behold: The slightly condescending, often laughable Valentine’s Day memes. Stephanie Toone, ajc, 13 Feb. 2020 See More Word History Etymology see condescend First Known Use 1660, in the meaning defined above condescending 1 of 2 adjective as in patronizing Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance patronizing arrogant domineering disdainful bossy supercilious impudent pontificating uppity authoritarian snooty haughty pretentious dominant sniffy snobbish snobby assumptive bumptious saucy pompous magisterial pontifical cavalier dominating presumptuous huffy impertinent cocky boastful conceited smug bombastic uppish bragging swaggering narcissistic braggart chesty egocentric high-and-mighty high-handed blusterous peremptory imperious braggy superior egotistical hifalutin blustery egotistic presuming hubristic vainglorious lordly toplofty complacent highfalutin overweening important huffish stuck-up vain self-assertive prideful egoistic self-centered self-satisfied self-asserting masterful lofty egoistical toploftical self-conceited self-complacent high-hat uninhibited stiff-necked self-promoting self-flattering brash proud self-pleased immodest extroverted self-applauding self-loving unreserved self-affected orgulous extraverted forward Antonyms & Near Antonyms humble sheepish modest timid unpretentious lowly bashful deferential diffident shy passive subdued demure acquiescent introverted meek submissive unassertive mousy shrinking unassuming unobtrusive unarrogant cringing unaggressive compliant quiet yielding self-doubting self-critical cowering mousey reserved overmodest retiring See More condescending 2 of 2 verb present participle of condescend 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 stooping demeaning humiliating deigning humbling degrading shaming debasing discrediting dishonoring abasing disgracing lowering Antonyms & Near Antonyms rising 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 patronizing cutting snubbing slighting talking down (to) lording (it over) cold-shouldering high-hatting queening (it over)
随便看	disinheriting disinherits disinhibit disinhibited disinhibiting disinhibition disinhibitions disinhibitor disinhibits disinhume disintegrable disintegrate disintegrated disintegrates disintegrating disintegration disintegrationist disintegrations disintegrative disintegrator disintegrators disintegrous disinter disinteress disinterest

condescending

adjective

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

adjective

verb