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

2

: voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior

Examples of condescension in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Particularly in earlier seasons, there’s an uncomfortable amount of misogynistic language, hostility, and condescension toward female players. —Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

And in a country where 74% of Americans report a belief in God, according to Gallup, and only 38% older than 25 have a four-year college degree, condescension is a losing strategy. —Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2024

Party of the educated Since the Obama presidency, Democrats have increasingly become the party of the educated, and the upshot has often been a whiff of condescension toward working-class voters, especially toward voters of faith. —Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2024

Attlee’s sweeping generalization of Asian political culture was not an offhand note of condescension. —Madhav Khosla, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin condescension-, condescensio, from condescendere — see condescend

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

condescension

noun

con·​de·​scen·​sion ˌkän-di-ˈsen-chən 

: the attitude or behavior of a person who condescends