condescending

[ kon-duh-sen-ding ]

adjective

1. showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority:

   They resented the older neighbors' condescending cordiality.

   Synonyms: supercilious, disdainful, patronizing

Other Words From

• conde·scending·ly adverb
• noncon·de·scending adjective
• noncon·de·scending·ly adverb
• noncon·de·scending·ness noun
• uncon·de·scending adjective
• uncon·de·scending·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of condescending¹

First recorded in 1630–40; condescend + -ing ²

Example Sentences

WATCH: “Please do not address a grown woman in a condescending tone as ‘dear’.

From Salon

But that condescending dismissal misses the point — both the point of the original 4B movement and why American women are talking about it now.

From Salon

The adult characters are shown to respond in an over-protective and condescending way - a striking criticism of the way society often treats disabled people.

From BBC

I found him smug, a bit condescending, and evasive.

From BBC

And he teaches her about Jewish traditions in a way that’s not condescending, like taking her outside to see the stars to mark the end of Shabbat.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• highfalutin
• patronizing
• snooty

More About Condescending

What does condescending mean?

To be condescending is to interact with others in a way that implies that you’re superior to them. It especially refers to when this is done in an arrogant or patronizing way—meaning when you act as if you’re doing someone a favor by supposedly lowering yourself to their level of understanding or intelligence.

Condescending is always used negatively and implies that such behavior is insulting to the person or people it’s directed toward.

The word can be used to describe a person, their actions, or their words. It’s especially applied to words like comment, tone, and attitude. Being condescending often involves not only what is said, but also how it’s said. A condescending tone is often one that sounds like it’s directed at a child.

Condescending is most commonly used as an adjective, but it’s also the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb condescend, which most commonly means to act in this way. The act of doing so is called condescension.

Example: You don’t have to be so condescending by explaining it to me with small words—I understand the topic just fine.

Where does condescending come from?

The first records of the word condescending as an adjective come from the 1600s. The verb condescend is recorded much earlier, in the 1300s. They both derive from the Late Latin condēscendere, which means “to stoop” and comes from the Latin dēscendere, “to descend.”

Being condescending always involves stooping or descending to the level of those whom the condescending person considers inferior. A person who’s considered condescending usually isn’t outright insulting someone. Instead, they’re speaking as if the person they’re addressing doesn’t have the ability to understand their supposedly superior intelligence.

Condescending and patronizing are often used as synonyms, but they can have slightly different shades of meaning. A person described as patronizing may simply be telling someone what they think they want to hear. But more often than not, someone who’s described as condescending is intentionally trying to display their supposed superiority through their tone.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to condescending?

• condescendingly (adverb)
• uncondescending (adjective)
• condescend (verb)

What are some synonyms for condescending?

• patronizing
• belittling

What are some words that share a root or word element with condescending? 

• condescension
• descend

What are some words that often get used in discussing condescending?

• tone
• comment
• remark
• attitude
• superior
• rude
• arrogant

How is condescending used in real life?

Condescending is always used negatively to imply rudeness or disrespect. It’s especially used to describe someone’s tone when speaking.

Ok but really watching Miss Universe, can we get a host who isn’t condescending to these women. He just told Miss Canada an engineer & model that she should stick w modeling 😐

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) December 17, 2018

Just a quick note, because it comes up a lot: it is generally reasonable to be skeptical of info, even from experts! But if you challenge an expert on their topic of expertise in a condescending way, and are wrong, they will probably be annoyed and think you are quite rude! 🙃

— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) December 31, 2018

Telling someone who's sad to snap out of it and smile, because they're prettier that way, isn't helpful. It's condescending and places value on good emotions and appearances alone… specifically, how those appearances affect YOU, the observer. It's inconsiderate. Don't do it.

— The Girl Who Came to Say ACAB (@Mom_Overboard) December 13, 2018

 

 

Try using condescending!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for condescending?

A. snooty
B. modest
C. arrogant
D. patronizing