condescension

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noun con·de·scen·sion \ ˌkän-di-ˈsen(t)-shən \

Definition of condescension

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

2 :patronizing attitude or behavior

scoffing condescension by the "we know better than you" people
—A. J. Anderson

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Recent Examples of condescension from the Web

But the emotional gimmickry here gets too close to the supercilious Beasts of the Southern Wild, which was also produced by the Gottwald-Janvey team in a fit of class condescension about the impoverished blacks of Hurricane Katrina.

— armond white, National Review, "Class Consciousness, French- and American-Style," 18 Aug. 2017
And Dr. Kelly could talk, and more importantly listen, to people from all backgrounds without condescension.

— danielle dreilinger, NOLA.com, "Eamon Kelly, economist and former Tulane president, dies at 81," 29 June 2017
Her newfound faith is met with passive discomfort from her granddaughter and—inexplicably—totally unsympathetic condescension and a sense of personal betrayal from her husband.

— Chicago Reader, "It Came From the Neo-Futurarium XII, In the Soundless Awe, and six more new stage shows," 28 June 2017
There have been smaller donations from time to time — $25,000 here, or $10,000 there — but the treatment has bordered on condescension.

— sam mellinger, kansascity.com, "MLB, finally, provides real support to the Negro Leagues museum. That’s great. Let’s see more.," 21 June 2017
Ted’s condescension hung in the air like the stench from a cat box in an apartment with 40 cats belonging to an elderly women who had just been found dead.

— nicole brodeur, The Seattle Times, "Sen. Al Franken and the absurdity of D.C.," 9 June 2017
But another manifestation is in the casual condescension that can surround vocational education.

— mark sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, "A hands-on view of education," 21 May 2017
While respecting recent scholarship on 17th-century thought, the Nadlers sought to make these stories and ideas as accessible and engaging to as broad an audience as possible without condescension.

— steven nadler, The Atlantic, "A Graphic Novel About 17th-Century Philosophy," 9 May 2017
Through the rest of the 70s and into the early 80s, Demme made low-budget gems about quirky characters and their worlds, always with an eye toward empathy and affinity, never with condescension.

— glenn kenny, VanityFair.com, "Celebrating Jonathan Demme, a Great Director and a Greater Man," 26 Apr. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of condescension

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

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First Known Use: 1647

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CONDESCENSION Defined for English Language Learners

condescension

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Definition of condescension for English Language Learners

: the attitude or behavior of people who believe they are more intelligent or better than other people

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condescension

Definition of condescension

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Origin and Etymology of condescension

CONDESCENSION Defined for English Language Learners

condescension

Definition of condescension for English Language Learners

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