1
as in to stoop
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

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2
as in to patronize
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of condescend President Donald Trump is once again facing backlash, this time for comments made during a recent meeting with West African leaders that many are calling inappropriate and condescending. Oumou Fofana, Essence, 11 July 2025 Alex spends most of the book being condescending to Sophie, and yet she is transfixed by him. Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025 Like them, Zimmer is known as a tough and savvy operator who as a boss could be both condescending but also wildly charismatic. Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025 Some of it reflects condescending attitudes that poor people don't know what's good for them. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
  • The show, known for its Emmy Award winning costumes, was quick to help conceal Coon’s pregnancy without stooping to TV gimmicks.
    Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The problem of always being on and willing to do better In his second year of medical school, Ehrenfeld recalled being at an operating table with particularly sharp corners and stooping down to pick something up.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • From metro Detroit to Kalamazoo, the Flint area and beyond, there are dozens of local cider mills to patronize this season.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Liam, the brother who clearly wanted this reunion the most, and wore the inability to re-consummate the brotherly relationship like an open wound, is still given mostly to jokes on stage more than serious statements or anything that patronizes the audience.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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