talk down (to)

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for talk down (to)
Verb
  • For family-run businesses, this means higher rents and costlier overheads, as well as the exodus of communities that traditionally patronized them.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Those sentiments aren't constructive and can be rather patronizing.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Timberview had cut the lead to 32-22 but couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ rushing attack.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The Philippine Fault Zone, which cuts across the archipelago, is one of many active faults responsible for significant seismic events.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
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.

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“Talk down (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talk%20down%20%28to%29. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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