condescend

verb

con·​de·​scend ˌkän-di-ˈsend How to pronounce condescend (audio)
condescended; condescending; condescends

intransitive verb

1
: to assume an air of superiority
The writer treats her readers as equals and never condescends to them.
2
a
: to descend to a less formal or dignified level : unbend
would not condescend to respond to such a crass remark
b
: to waive the privileges of rank

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What is the difference between condescending and patronizing?

Very few words in English have exactly the same meaning; even words which appear to be entirely synonymous often will be found to have small differences in certain contexts. The words condescending and patronizing present a fine example of this. At first glance these words appear to be defined somewhat circularly: condescending often has the word "patronizing" in its definition, and patronize is defined, in part, as “to adopt an air of condescension toward.”

But both of these words have specialized senses that lend a shade of meaning to their synonymous senses. Patronizing can mean "giving support to" or "being a customer of," suggesting that the "condescending" sense implies superiority gained through a donor-dependent relationship.

The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority it usually suggests today. It could mean literally "to go or come down" or, figuratively, "to willingly lower oneself to another’s level," senses that are still occasionally encountered in writings on the Bible. The idea of self-consciously lowering oneself is implied in the "patronizing" sense of condescending.

Examples of condescend in a Sentence

I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race. wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations
Recent Examples on the Web Coming from another speaker whose relationship with Black Americans was less transactional, less transparently condescending, more respectful and more truthful, these comments might have hummed with it’s-just-us humor. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 Byron’s fellow-nobles, by and large, did not condescend to grieve him publicly. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 In that hard-drinking era, sommeliers were considered snobbish, condescending types who cajoled diners into overspending. Eric Asimov, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Elite conservatives tell rural Americans that liberals are condescending, coastal, out-of-touch, preening Hollywood phonies unworthy of their trust or political support. Paul Waldman, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2024 In a country in which the most visible figures in society are either condescending liberals or right-wing nutjobs, Swift and Kelce occupy the same middle ground occupied by most Americans. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 These screamers can no longer be condescended to, as a quirky sideshow to pop music. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2024 The wholesome coverage stood in condescending contrast to those barely-there Brazilian cuts that have become ubiquitous. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Her pathway to the nomination was already extremely narrow, but one thing is for sure: Nikki Haley will not condescend her way into Republican hearts. Brittany Bernstein, National Review, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condescend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French condescendre, from Late Latin condescendere, from Latin com- + descendere to descend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of condescend was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near condescend

Cite this Entry

“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescend. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

condescend

verb
con·​de·​scend ˌkän-di-ˈsend How to pronounce condescend (audio)
1
: to lower oneself to a level considered less dignified or humbler than one's own
2
: to act in a way that suggests that one considers oneself better than other people
condescendingly
-ˈsen-diŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on condescend

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