deign

verb

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\ ˈdān

deigned; deigning; deigns

Definition of deign

intransitive verb

: to condescend reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one's superiority that is involved : stoop would not even deign to talk to him One iconoclastic architect, for example, doesn't deign to speak of bathrooms.— Carol Vogel

transitive verb

: to condescend to give or offer never so much as deigning a glance— George Meredith

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About deign

Examples of deign in a Sentence

I wouldn't deign to answer that absurd accusation.

Recent Examples on the Web The UConn administration did not deign to participate in the ensuing debate, despite the growing escalation and vitriol. — Aron Ravin, National Review, 3 Apr. 2022 Her dazzling turn in Hustlers—as the Lucite-cool veteran stripper queen Ramona—once again reminded moviegoers how much Lopez has to offer as a dramatic actor, even if the Academy didn’t deign to notice. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Feb. 2022 At the beginning of her career, Hayek had to develop these inventive looks independently, as many luxury brands wouldn’t deign to dress her. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021 If your dog won’t deign to sip from a dish, consider giving this slick and smart dog water bottle from PupFlask a try. — Sara Coughlin, SELF, 8 July 2021 The new responsum, in effect, leaves L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics in limbo, trying to make sense of a Church that will not deign to bless their lives. — Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2021 CBS Sports, the broadcast and business partner of the NCAA, promotes its interactive men’s backet but won’t even deign to offer an interactive women’s bracket. — Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2021 Some alumni of prestigious schools won’t deign to wear their own school’s gear, anyway. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2021 The Supreme Court didn’t even deign to hear his legal arguments about voter fraud. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2020 See More

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