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
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
Garrett’s not in the film for long, but his condescending character certainly makes an impact.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
The party has become the party of the college-educated and for the college-educated — and its members talk like it in ways the working class often finds condescending or alienating.
—Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Garrett’s not in the film for long, but his condescending character certainly makes an impact.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
The party has become the party of the college-educated and for the college-educated — and its members talk like it in ways the working class often finds condescending or alienating.
—Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
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Richie's wife verbally attacks Maeve, even stooping so low as to look her up and down and insult her appearance.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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This raised garden bed stands waist high—at 33 inches, halfway between table height and counter height—ideal for gardening without bending or stooping.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Don’t patronize the big cruise ships.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Spectacle is one way to get people to show up in person and perhaps patronize other businesses too.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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