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
When residents made 999 calls to the fire department, some were met with condescension: Abdulaziz was told to calm down by an operator, who then guided another resident of his floor to safety.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The condescension came from the man who supposedly was in her corner.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Dog Day Afternoon has unique sympathy for its central characters, emphasizing their desperation and seemingly endless complexity without condescension or over-simplification.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024
While the films obviously view Texas through progressive lenses, the approach isn’t one of condescension but rather seeking greater understanding.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Explaining the meaning of her recent performance-art installment — one that involves a teepee and a deli meat slicer — Cara schools Whitney with condescension disguised as polite composure.
—EW.com, 6 Nov. 2023
There may be a touch of Cloud Atlas-style dystopian condescension in the notion of bringing AI to the benighted continent of Europe.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 13 Feb. 2024
Decades later, Baudouin’s condescension remains startling.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
Much of the criticism of Ms. Swift, meanwhile, seems tinged with condescension, suggesting that a 33-year-old female pop star is a gullible naïf, ripe for bamboozling by political operators.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2024
Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The condescension came from the man who supposedly was in her corner.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Dog Day Afternoon has unique sympathy for its central characters, emphasizing their desperation and seemingly endless complexity without condescension or over-simplification.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024
While the films obviously view Texas through progressive lenses, the approach isn’t one of condescension but rather seeking greater understanding.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Explaining the meaning of her recent performance-art installment — one that involves a teepee and a deli meat slicer — Cara schools Whitney with condescension disguised as polite composure.
—EW.com, 6 Nov. 2023
There may be a touch of Cloud Atlas-style dystopian condescension in the notion of bringing AI to the benighted continent of Europe.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 13 Feb. 2024
Decades later, Baudouin’s condescension remains startling.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
Much of the criticism of Ms. Swift, meanwhile, seems tinged with condescension, suggesting that a 33-year-old female pop star is a gullible naïf, ripe for bamboozling by political operators.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condescension.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near condescension
Cite this Entry
“Condescension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescension. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
condescension
noun
con·de·scen·sion
ˌkän-di-ˈsen-chən
: the attitude or behavior of a person who condescends
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share