talk down

verb

talked down; talking down; talks down

intransitive verb

: to speak in a condescending or oversimplified fashion

transitive verb

: to disparage or belittle by talking

Synonyms of talk down

• dismiss
• minimize
• diminish
• run down
• play down

Examples of talk down in a Sentence

a company that prefers to talk up its own products rather than talk down those of its competitors

Recent Examples on the Web

During his remarks, Beshear accused Vance, whose memoir explores issues such as poverty and the lack of opportunity in Appalachia and the Rust Belt, of talking down to the people of Kentucky. —Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

Worldfor never talking down to me or being too afraid to address the hard things in life. —Anna Earl, Parents, 12 Mar. 2026

Mayor Johnson took the hosts of the JAAM Podcast —JJ, Allen, Abee and Matt, a group of friends from Chicago who talk about politics and culture — to walk and talk down the streets of the city's Austin neighborhood. —Mikayla Price, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Misfits is a great example of a show for a teenage audience that respects its demographic rather than talking down to them. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for talk down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

talk down

verb

: to speak in an overly simple manner as if to a person who does not know much