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
Shane hasn’t noticed condescension from Hollywood due to his Internet fame — so most of the doubt comes from himself.
—
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescension
Noun
-
In the book, Caputo’s initial pride and arrogance soon give way to a more contemplative spirit, followed by degeneration.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
That’s where arrogance becomes a liability.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The unfortunate thing about that disdain is that Kennedy has the power to impose his bizarre notions on the entire country.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
In reality, though, the backlash reflects the disdain critics like Lathan have for Clark.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Protecting the sense of superiority of white passengers was the top priority.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
If the industry collapses, no individual company’s superiority matters.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Traits once seen as stabilizing — empathy, humility, shame — are recast as liabilities in a world that prizes speed, dominance and certainty.—
Sarah DaVanzo,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
-
Just steer away from turning every disagreement into a battle for dominance.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
While the chain's restaurant margin decreased because of commodity and labor inflation, some of that decline was offset by higher sales, according to the earnings report.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
The war has already sent the price for a barrel of Brent up from roughly $70 and delivered a blast of painful inflation through the global economy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Berben believes that attitudes could improve, having recently returned from CinemaCon, the annual trade show for movie theater owners, which was held in Las Vegas last month.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 May 2026
-
Gombrowicz never really ‘assimilated’ to life in Argentina, partly due to the unique and unprecedented circumstances that brought him there in the first place, but also because of his naturally irreverent and at times even childish attitude towards literary establishment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescension. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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