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
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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
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Recent Examples of condescend
Being condescending, far from being a virtue, is universally acknowledged as a vice.
—
Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
This phrase is typically dismissive, condescending, and a little bit haughty, even when intended as humor.
—John Bowe, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Johannes acts as a stand-in for all the shitty men women in music have to deal with, the ones who condescend, belittle, mansplain, and gaslight.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
This phrase is typically dismissive, condescending, and a little bit haughty, even when intended as humor.
—John Bowe, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Johannes acts as a stand-in for all the shitty men women in music have to deal with, the ones who condescend, belittle, mansplain, and gaslight.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
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The waiter stooped, took the knife from my hand, leaned close, and cut a delicate line down the spine.—
Kendra Atleework,
Longreads,
12 Mar. 2026
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Yet Burr never stoops to crudity.—
Bob Strauss,
San Francisco Chronicle,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trade school is often talked about as an alternative to a four-year degree, but the discourse can be patronizing, with jobs in construction framed as an off-ramp for the kids who can’t cut it in real college.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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In Minneapolis, meat raffles are held each Friday night in the 1029 Bar, a spot often patronized by police officers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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