condescend

[ kon-duh-send ]

verb (used without object)

1. to behave as if one is conscious of descending from a superior position, rank, or dignity.
2. to stoop or deign to do something:

   He would not condescend to misrepresent the facts.

3. to put aside one's dignity or superiority voluntarily and assume equality with one regarded as inferior:

   He condescended to their intellectual level in order to be understood.

4. Obsolete.
   1. to yield.
   2. to assent.

condescend

/ ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd /

verb

1. to act graciously towards another or others regarded as being on a lower level; behave patronizingly
2. to do something that one regards as below one's dignity

Other Words From

• condes·cender condes·cendent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of condescend¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English condescenden, from Late Latin condēscendere ( con-, descend ); replacing Middle English condescendre, from Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of condescend¹

C14: from Church Latin condēscendere to stoop, condescend, from Latin dēscendere to descend

Example Sentences

Don’t question the character of his backers or condescend; appeal to their interests and positive dreams.

From Seattle Times

Shales did not condescend to his thumbs-up-or-down responsibilities.

From New York Times

He doesn’t condescend to the folklore.

From New York Times

There’s a magic mailbox involved; it’s really dumb and also really great, and the two stars never once condescend to the material.

From Washington Post

Leaving the ironies to us, she refuses to condescend to the character.

From New York Times