as in patronizing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stooping
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cutting
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 condescending
Carole Horst, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
That loathsome, condescending, low-brow slur would apparently include the 74 million people who voted for Trump in 2020, a record only Biden himself has bettered on his way to being maybe the worst president ever.
—Jay Ambrose, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2024
Both projects share a similar eye for the grotesquerie of the banal, with a generally condescending perspective toward rural desperation.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
Yes, Emily goes on to flip her condescending date the bird before bombarding a top Parisian designer in his box—two decidedly un-Audrey gestures.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Adjective
Indeed, at a welcoming dinner in Harrison’s mansion, Erzsébet swiftly puts the condescending and clueless guests away with her words, delivered with strength, dignity and sneaky bemusement.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
That loathsome, condescending, low-brow slur would apparently include the 74 million people who voted for Trump in 2020, a record only Biden himself has bettered on his way to being maybe the worst president ever.
—Jay Ambrose, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2024
Both projects share a similar eye for the grotesquerie of the banal, with a generally condescending perspective toward rural desperation.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
Yes, Emily goes on to flip her condescending date the bird before bombarding a top Parisian designer in his box—two decidedly un-Audrey gestures.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for condescending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescending
Adjective
-
If your partner takes a patronizing tone or talks down to you, even while making a reasonable request, take note, Jackson said.—
Charles Trepany,
USA TODAY,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Kate seems a bit more reluctant to play along this time, in part because Laurie’s comments about Jaclyn are more overtly critical than the patronizing tone of the earlier scene.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In a world where deal flow is crucial, being labeled as an arrogant VC results in missing out on prime opportunities.—
David Nour,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
The arrogant anti-union stance did not start with the current CEO; even the legendary Studs Terkel was slapped down by WFMT management for his earlier support of an effort to unionize in 1990.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Perhaps most frustrating to Mainers: the domineering influence of Boston in the state’s government.—
Made by History,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Both documents suggest that Marocco was disdainful of aid spent on health care, economic development and programs to promote democracy and human rights.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2025
-
From above, the figurines almost appear to be grinning, but the face looks disdainful when viewed head-on.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As April unfolds, the full moon in Libra (April 12) shines a light on your bossy 10th house of career, authority and reputation in the world.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
But too often, the fear of being seen as bossy, rude, or confrontational holds a lot of us back from speaking up.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Arthur is … a lot too, but with a supercilious edge?—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Not that Allen wasn’t above poking fun at a friend: In many of their films together, Allen presented Roberts as so cool-headed as to verge on the comically supercilious.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Fortunately, Snow White’s newfound enlightenment does not deny her the possibility of romance, although princes are now strictly off-limits; her love interest here is a fetchingly impudent bandit, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who is leading a scrappy rebellion against the Evil Queen.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
-
One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.—
Sam Davies,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Alencar secured four of five takedown attempts and maintained 12:38 of control time en route to the dominant win.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Graduate guard Azzi Fudd, who scored just eight points in UConn’s Elite Eight win against USC, was equally dominant.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Condescending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescending. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share