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

Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, pointed out that Trump’s attempts to talk down the market now have diminishing returns, with investors demanding actual evidence of concrete steps toward de-escalation. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026

Politicos everywhere are talking down Johnson’s chances. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

There’s always a chance that Fetterman’s prospective foes get talked down from the ledge. —Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026

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

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