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

Derived Forms

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

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

He’s condescending to almost everyone except his church friends.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

But having grown up in less-privileged circumstances, she’s uneasy in the world she now inhabits and bristles at the condescending manner of her mother-in-law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

To providers themselves, however, this is condescending, victim-blaming nonsense.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

"It's a complete reversal of the situation: for a long time, Europeans were condescending toward Chinese manufacturers, seen as mere imitators."

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

“Fascinating,” said Rafi in a tone that sounded oddly condescending, but maybe Boaz was imagining it.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• arrogant
• highfalutin
• patronizing
• snooty