as in arrogance
the attitude or behavior of people who believe they are more intelligent or better than other people
The author discusses the politics of the region without condescension.
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Recent Examples of condescension
Gartside seemed aware of a certain potential for racial condescension in his worship of Franklin and unsure of how to resolve it, struggling to offer an explanation that satisfied him of her role in the cosmology of Cupid and Psyche 85.
—
Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Amos sketches Pskov’s residents with deep interest and sympathy, yet without condescension or sentimentality.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but generally people of every stripe respond better to kindness and respect than to fury and condescension.
—Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2025
As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Amos sketches Pskov’s residents with deep interest and sympathy, yet without condescension or sentimentality.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but generally people of every stripe respond better to kindness and respect than to fury and condescension.
—Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2025
As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescension
Noun
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While their energies differ, nearly all of them share the same basic drives (money, power, status) and the same fundamental flaws (greed, arrogance, selfishness).—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
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Their defensive style can look like arrogance or hostility.—
Paul Sanchez Ruiz,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trump is pouring similar disdain on America’s treaty allies in Asia.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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But this wasn’t enough to overcome disdain at home for his apparent corruption and economic mismanagement, and voters showed this week that democracy is alive and well in Central Europe.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Drone superiority More than four years of war have forced Ukraine to become a global leader in battlefield drones and robotic systems.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The first-leg win in Paris last week did not reflect the superiority of Luis Enrique's team on the night, which had a host of chances to rack up an even more commanding lead.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But Bruce achieved his alpha status on his own through dominance, not via a useful alliance.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 Apr. 2026
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To date, Russia’s VKS has failed to achieve air superiority or dominance over most of Ukraine.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some Republicans have also floated adding more defense funding and a change to capital gains taxes to adjust for inflation.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
20 Apr. 2026
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That year, as gas prices spiked fast after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global oil markets and in the wake of peak COVID-19 inflation, politicians felt pressure to act on relief, and many did.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There is no question about his attitude or application; this is not a case of a player who has shirked responsibility or failed to work hard enough in training or in matches.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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Princess Anne is often described as the Queen’s most like-minded child, known for her no-nonsense attitude, dry humor and unwavering commitment to her responsibilities.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescension. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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