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

There’s no condescension, no treatment of Powter as a cautionary tale. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025

There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but generally people of every stripe respond better to kindness and respect than to fury and condescension. —Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2025

As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

This narrative has always been reductive and, frankly, tinged with cultural condescension. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for condescension

• apprehension
• comprehension
• hypertension
• hypotension
• reinvention
• reprehension
• resuspension
• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention

Kids Definition

condescension

noun

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

: the attitude or behavior of a person who condescends