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

But Musk deserved such condescension, and the jurors did not. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

But when Paul Baran pitched his idea to the company, the response was a mix of skepticism and condescension. —Laura Isensee, Scientific American, 18 May 2026

The couple themselves — Marguerite (Mélanie Thierry) and Pierre Donnadieu (Vincent Macaigne) — are, for the most part, personable, but their generosity disguises a cultural condescension. —Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 16 May 2026

By then, the mainstream media was paying close attention to Gawker with a mix of fascination over its scoops and chatty, compelling voices, and condescension because its journalistic standards were not as strict as theirs. —Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

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