condescending

American  

[kon-duh-sen-ding] / ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn dɪŋ /

adjective

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

   They resented the older neighbors' condescending cordiality.

   Synonyms:

   supercilious, disdainful, patronizing

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condescending British  

/ ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ /

adjective

1. showing or implying condescension by stooping to the level of one's inferiors, esp in a patronizing way

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• condescendingly adverb
• noncondescending adjective
• noncondescendingly adverb
• noncondescendingness noun
• uncondescending adjective
• uncondescendingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of condescending

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

Compare meaning

How does condescending compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• patronizing vs. condescending

Explanation

If you are being condescending, you are looking down on someone. A 10-year-old who says to his sibling, "What do you know? You're only a 6-year-old!" is being condescending. The Latin prefix con- means "with," and the Latin word for descend means "down," so the word condescending probably developed to describe someone who looked down on others. Condescending behavior is, not surprisingly, itself looked down upon. It's usually intended to make people feel bad about not knowing or having something, and it very often works.

Example Sentences

Though his acidic sense of humour -- criticised as condescending by some -- is evident throughout, Parr's 180 photographs also amount to a portrait of human folly and environmental destruction.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

It shows us that he could be down-to-earth without ever condescending to his readers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Part of the problem may be Gorsuch’s haughty and condescending attitude toward those who disagree with him.

From Slate • Jun. 23, 2025

Ms Rose added that a response she received from an assistant chief constable had been "condescending."

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2025

Abra’s mouth turned up at the comers with a condescending wisdom.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• arrogant
• highfalutin
• patronizing
• snooty