as in lorded (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
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talked down (to)
Verb
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According to a press release, more than 82 million passengers patronized Denver's airport.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026 -
The film’s British production, and its British filmmaker, can’t help but occupy a large section of the movie’s negative space, inviting questions about who and what exactly is being satirized (or perhaps patronized) in this tale of warring desert nations.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In the men's singles final in figure skating, the NBC telecast just cut to a shot of American Max Naumov, who was juggling a soccer ball.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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Catherine’s brother Hindley, a vicious bully whose abuse is part of what drives Cathy and Heathcliff so closely together, is cut entirely, his role combined with Catherine’s father.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Susannah Fullerton on the French Writer’s Feline Muses La Chatte condescended to live with Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette), born in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, France, in 1873, died in Paris, 1954, novelist, actress and journalist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Talked down (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talked%20down%20%28to%29. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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