TALKING DOWN (TO) Synonyms: 9 Similar Words

talking down (to)

verb

present participle of talk down (to)

as in lording (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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patronizing

Verb

Lee and his Burning co-writer Oh Jung-mi resist what might have been the first instinct of many filmmakers by refusing to make Ye-ji and Sang-woo overly patronizing rich jerks.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
The letter explained in patronizing terms how the English government worked.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of patronizing

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talking down

talking down (to)

talking (into)

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“Talking down (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking%20down%20%28to%29. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of talking down (to)

verb

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