as in patronizing
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1
as in stooping
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cutting
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 condescending
Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Worse, Trump's condescending and coercive relationship with Zelensky—evident since the impeachment scandal—undermines trust.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Narcissists are known for their sense of entitlement, self-centeredness, superiority complex, and condescending attitude toward others.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Adjective
Dismissing these concerns as mere xenophobia is both condescending and factually wrong.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Worse, Trump's condescending and coercive relationship with Zelensky—evident since the impeachment scandal—undermines trust.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Wendy is condescending, and even in their back and forth displayed all of the dismissive and snide psychoanalysis that Angel was alleging, but her inability to land zingers is always going to leave her on her back foot.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Narcissists are known for their sense of entitlement, self-centeredness, superiority complex, and condescending attitude toward others.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescending
Adjective
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Used in a patronizing context toward a rule follower, this trend is usually used to mock rather than compliment.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Fear-mongering, which comes off equal parts paranoid and patronizing, is the surest way to make people stop listening.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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High-torque joints in the waist enable deep squatting and stooping, supporting operations that require strength and flexibility.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Dier was stooping slightly but the Portuguese midfielder’s leg was at least chest-high.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That premonition rings true when his parents (Tara Buckman, Geoff Hansen) are slaughtered by a carjacker dressed as Old Saint Nick himself (Charles Dierkop) just hours later, condemning the toddler into further moral compass trauma at an orphanage run by a domineering Mother Superior nun from Hell.—
Huntley Woods,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Dec. 2025
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Orgon’s only ally is his domineering parade float of a mother, Madame Pernelle (the Bianca del Rio), who sails onto the stage in high dudgeon at the top of the play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
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He’s been sullen all day, sunk in his collar, his face disdainful.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With the sun, Venus and Mercury moving through your bossy 10th house of career and authority this season, your work life becomes more visible and demanding.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 Dec. 2025
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Imagine the bossy, vegetal crunch of a nearly raw bell pepper.—
Adam Erace,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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And now the supercilious Ivy League twits try to dodge the consequences of their woke follies.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
24 Dec. 2025
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Klára works at a grocery store formerly owned by the family of her colleague Elza (Hermina Fátyol) but now taken over by a supercilious Stalinist (Konrád Quintus) who doesn’t bother hiding his disdain for the two Jewish women.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Gemma reluctantly agrees to rebuild her impudent robot in a new body, and the sequel ends with an explosive showdown between Amelia and M3GAN, who nearly dies in a noble attempt to save Gemma and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
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Fortunately, Snow White’s newfound enlightenment does not deny her the possibility of romance, although princes are now strictly off-limits; her love interest here is a fetchingly impudent bandit, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who is leading a scrappy rebellion against the Evil Queen.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescending. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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