1
as in to stoop
to descend to a level that is beneath one's dignity
I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to patronize
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of condescend
What the narrator has to get away from is the assortment of low-grade humiliations and condescending attitudes she is confronted with every day while clocked in at the restaurant.
—
Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Being a Hollywood romantic (and deeply insecure), Remick can’t help himself when his fellow gala attendees condescend to him.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
The ambassador, once he was done laughing, explained himself with the air of a man condescending to a woman.
—Nell Zink, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
He's introduced to a string of condescending doctors, none of whom agree with him that movies (especially movies about zombies with potty issues) are as important to the planet as medicine.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Being a Hollywood romantic (and deeply insecure), Remick can’t help himself when his fellow gala attendees condescend to him.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
The ambassador, once he was done laughing, explained himself with the air of a man condescending to a woman.
—Nell Zink, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
He's introduced to a string of condescending doctors, none of whom agree with him that movies (especially movies about zombies with potty issues) are as important to the planet as medicine.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
-
One that clings to status, and one that stoops to serve.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Suarez recalled that Reyes kept the race focused on the issues, rather than stooping to smear tactics.—
Tess Riski,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But her pleas mostly fall on deaf ears, including those of Naomi, who dismisses and patronizes her.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
6 May 2025
-
In a customer notice shared on its website, Shein thanked customers for their support and said the company still wants customers to be able to patronize the site for their fashion needs.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share