condescension
noun
con·de·scen·sion
ˌkän-di-ˈsen(t)-shən 
1
: patronizing attitude or behavior
scoffing condescension by the "we know better than you" people—
A. J. Anderson
A. J. Anderson2
: voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
Examples of condescension in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenny struggles with underemployment, loneliness, condescension from the men in her life, the disapproval of her cougar mother and, worst of all for her, her failure to conceive a child.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
But their methods could often cross over into condescension, Palmer argues, mirroring the attitudes of imperialism that the Soviets often criticized.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 8 Aug. 2025
Donald Trump’s political allies have long insisted, with more than a little condescension, that the press should take the President seriously, but not literally.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 19 July 2025
Friedland’s acute debut feature, drawn from her experience in the memory-care field, is a small miracle of realigned empathy, turning away from the condescension and easy sentiment of so many narratives about late-in-life adaptation.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescension
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Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
But their methods could often cross over into condescension, Palmer argues, mirroring the attitudes of imperialism that the Soviets often criticized.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 8 Aug. 2025
Donald Trump’s political allies have long insisted, with more than a little condescension, that the press should take the President seriously, but not literally.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 19 July 2025
Friedland’s acute debut feature, drawn from her experience in the memory-care field, is a small miracle of realigned empathy, turning away from the condescension and easy sentiment of so many narratives about late-in-life adaptation.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Cite this Entry
“Condescension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescension. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
condescension
noun
con·de·scen·sion
ˌkän-di-ˈsen-chən
: the attitude or behavior of a person who condescends
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