condescend

verb

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con·de·scend | \ ˌkän-di-ˈsend

condescended; condescending; condescends

Definition of condescend

intransitive verb

1 : to assume an air of superiority The writer treats her readers as equals and never condescends to them.

2a : to descend to a less formal or dignified level : unbend would not condescend to respond to such a crass remark

b : to waive the privileges of rank

Synonyms What is the difference between condescending and patronizing? More Example Sentences Learn More About condescend

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.

Examples of condescend in a Sentence

I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race. wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations

Recent Examples on the Web The monsters, wildly imaginative, don’t condescend to a 10-year-old’s sensibilities — or a 24-year-old’s. — New York Times, 26 Oct. 2021 As on MasterChef Junior, none of the judges, even in their critiques, condescend to their participants. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 21 June 2019 Little Sheldon is an easily anxious fellow who tattles and condescends. — Hal Boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, 22 Sep. 2017 There’s a sharpness to her writing, an edge that comes from her understanding of human nature and her absolute refusal to pander or condescend to her young readers. — Seattle Times Staff, The Seattle Times, 21 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'condescend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near condescend

condensive load

condescend

condescendence

Statistics for condescend

Cite this Entry

“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescend. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for condescend

condescend

verb

con·de·scend | \ ˌkän-di-ˈsend

condescended; condescending

Kids Definition of condescend

1 : to stoop to the level of someone considered less important These two great commanders did not condescend to fight in person …— Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

2 : to grant favors with a show of being better than others She only condescended to speak to me because she needed something.