as in patronizing
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of condescending
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
Much like a condescending Twitter mob, After the Hunt has access to academic concepts without the interest in humanity to back it up.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.
—Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Adjective
But Chernus talks at us with the condescending zeal of a true music-lover, and his cheeky tirades about the history of jazz — and why Jarrett’s gift for improvisation is unique even in the context of such a freeform genre — are entertaining and educational in equal measure.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
Much like a condescending Twitter mob, After the Hunt has access to academic concepts without the interest in humanity to back it up.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Its relentlessly upbeat, hand-holding style has drawn constant criticism for coming across as condescending.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.
—Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescending
Adjective
-
Attempts have been so grand as to come off as wildly patronizing.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
John’s patronizing, congratulatory tone with regard to Weisz’s character’s dalliance with Vlad doesn’t help.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sharan enlisted Joshy’s architecture practice, Naked Volume, to handle his site, which already had a small, stooping home on its grounds.—
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar,
Architectural Digest,
24 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
But Lobo isn't some mindless arrogant hulk out to impose his indomitable will.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Galitzine is taking on the iconic role of Adam Glenn, an exiled alien on Earth who learns that the domineering villain Skeletor is terrorizing his home world of Eternia.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
Haverill is introduced in season 1 as a domineering borough commander who antagonizes Det.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The moon is charging up your bossy 10th house of career, reputation and visibility, putting your ambitions, accomplishments and leadership qualities under the spotlight.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
The Swallows were a pretty dull group of four siblings—Susan was always doing the cooking and discussing the best way to scramble egg, while bossy John was some kind of Tory MP in the making.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Raring to go, all the top military brass, including the agitated Eisenhower and his supercilious British counterpart General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis), act as though the rational, needfully single-minded man of science has personally betrayed the mission.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 May 2026
-
Her supercilious caricature of a boss, Suzie (Tara Summers), serves merely as a source of pressure.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mantello wasn’t being impudent.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
His first goal was pretty enough, an inch-perfect sidefoot just inside Donnarumma’s far post, but his second was a work of impudent art.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescending. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
