as in to lord (it over)
to assume or treat with an air of superiority
just because I don't have extensive experience in the field is no reason to talk down to me as if I were a child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down (to)
Verb
-
By the turn of the 21st century, ordinary Iranians were patronizing internet cafés—Tehran alone had about 1,500 by 2001—and meeting in online chat rooms.—
Nahid Siamdoust,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026 -
Eigenberger said the public can also support by patronizing the business, which will remain open during regular business hours even through the extreme cold this weekend.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
San Marcos got the lead back to six before Mission Hills again cut it to one with 20 seconds to go.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The European Union has mandated that about 80% of new car sales in 2030 should be electric and 100% (since provisionally cut to 90%) in 2035.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Talk down (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talk%20down%20%28to%29. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
