1
as in to stoop
to descend to a level that is beneath one's dignity I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to patronize
to assume or treat with an air of superiority wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of condescend Musk remained unimpressed, dismissing Rubio with a smirk and a condescending jab. William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 Reportedly, Tulip mastermind Charles Hegel (played with perfect measure of condescending arrogance by Josh Brener) has died in Kenya, and took with him all the necessary passwords needed to access the accounts of his many investors. Joe Leydon, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025 But you people harried her and condescended to her and insulted her and never gave her the time of day. George Saunders, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 While the phrasing was slightly unusual, Slot was not trying to be condescending in suggesting that those in the room might have been unaware of xG itself. Mark Carey, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for condescend

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on condescend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!