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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in patronizing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of condescending
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 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, 6 Oct. 2025
These can often be perceived as condescending, disguising advice within a seemingly innocuous question.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Verb
Liu directs heart-expanding, tender performances out of his leads, and the screenplay by Martyna Majok forgoes the maudlin or condescending notes of so many Hollywood depictions of immigration stories.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 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
Adjective
If this premiere is any indicator, Keiarna is going to have to sharpen her digs a bit so that Wendy doesn’t get to easily dismiss or minimize what clearly seems to be a passive-aggressive or condescending subtext in their dynamic.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
These can often be perceived as condescending, disguising advice within a seemingly innocuous question.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescending
Verb
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Dier was stooping slightly but the Portuguese midfielder’s leg was at least chest-high.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This position involves stooping, lifting and consolidating large bags of recycling and refuse.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those sentiments aren't constructive and can be rather patronizing.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Shop In Uptown Put your plastic to good use by patronizing Uptown’s lovely community of small businesses.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Some might see you as arrogant.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
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Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Her anxiety stems from her domineering mother (Barbara Hershey) and rival dancer (Mila Kunis) who may or may not be after her part in the ballet.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
-
And one of the reasons the film doesn’t succeed is Meryl Streep’s grotesque performance as the filterless, domineering matriarch.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Talking about the huddle, one of his teammates just walked off the field inexplicably (Governor Kugler) taking early retirement and two others (Waller and Bowman) are openly disdainful of his play calling.—
Bob Haber,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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For decades, the Academy seemed to keep Cruise at a vaguely disdainful distance, dismissing him as more of an action figure than a serious ack-TOOR.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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On the second take, Russell’s bossy tone rubbed up nicely against the neediness of the moment.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The Boy Is Mine Tour kicking off next month, many fans were curious to know if the duo would ask concertgoers to adapt a certain dress code, with the pair coming up with a bossy suggestion that speaks to their positions in the music game.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The plot revolves around the attempts of various parties to get a hold of a Lakota ghost shirt that has come into the possession of a supercilious business tycoon and acquirer of rare artifacts, Pendleton Duvall (Toby Huss).—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 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 23 Oct. 2025.
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