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
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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
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Recent Examples of condescend
He is entitled, dismissive and will go out of his way to say something cruel and condescending when nothing at all would have sufficed.
—
ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Its relentlessly upbeat, hand-holding style has drawn constant criticism for coming across as condescending.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Michelle tries to correct the record, with her babydoll voice, and Jasmine starts yelling at her and telling her not to condescend to her and talk to her like a child.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.
—Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescend
ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Its relentlessly upbeat, hand-holding style has drawn constant criticism for coming across as condescending.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Michelle tries to correct the record, with her babydoll voice, and Jasmine starts yelling at her and telling her not to condescend to her and talk to her like a child.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.
—Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
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Birds can change the shape of their wings almost instantaneously, spreading out to create drag and lift and perform sudden turns or hover above prey like a kestrel, or folding up so the peregrine falcon can stoop on prey at 240 mph.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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But Popes don’t generally stoop to Tolkien-quote battles with those who dislike them, so why now?—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
Verb
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The Green family started patronizing the restaurant in the 1980s.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
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While women often visited less frequently—due both to distance, travel constraints and the fact that early retail environments were not designed with them in mind, Koehn says—most men at least occasionally patronized general stores, and many of them did so frequently.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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