condescension
noun
con·de·scen·sion
ˌkän-di-ˈsen(t)-shən 
1
: patronizing attitude or behavior
scoffing condescension by the "we know better than you" people—
A. J. Anderson
A. J. Anderson2
: voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
Examples of condescension in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lipton exactly titrates condescension and concern as the front man for a robot quartet performing to a humanity that mistrusts its own machines.
—The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
The truth is, no amount of communication can overcome the barrier of condescension, and there’s no place for condescension in a Democratic Party that wants to reach our diverse citizenry.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2024
But maybe setting the bar high was a sign of respect for her audience, rather than condescension.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Yet everything remains the same for Delia whose romantic fantasies have given way to an embrace of her roles as dutiful wife and loving mother despite the sneering condescension and outright physical abuse at the hands of her strutting petty tyrant husband Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for condescension 
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.
The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
The truth is, no amount of communication can overcome the barrier of condescension, and there’s no place for condescension in a Democratic Party that wants to reach our diverse citizenry.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2024
But maybe setting the bar high was a sign of respect for her audience, rather than condescension.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Yet everything remains the same for Delia whose romantic fantasies have given way to an embrace of her roles as dutiful wife and loving mother despite the sneering condescension and outright physical abuse at the hands of her strutting petty tyrant husband Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for condescension
Dictionary Entries Near condescension
Cite this Entry
“Condescension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescension. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
condescension
noun
con·de·scen·sion
ˌkän-di-ˈsen-chən
: the attitude or behavior of a person who condescends
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share