condescension

American  

[kon-duh-sen-shuhn] / ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of condescending.

2. behavior that is patronizing or condescending.

3. voluntary assumption of equality with a person regarded as inferior.

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condescension British  

/ ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of behaving in a patronizing way

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Usage

What does condescension mean? Condescension is a way of interacting with others 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. Condescension often involves not only what is said but also how it’s said. A tone of condescension is often one that sounds like it’s directed at a child. Condescension is a noun form of the verb condescend, which most commonly means to behave in this way. When used this way, condescend, condescension, and the adjective condescending are always negative and imply that such behavior is insulting to the person or people it’s directed toward. Condescend can also mean to stoop to a lower level or to do something that one considers as below one's dignity. A close synonym of this sense of the word is deign. Condescension can also mean the act of doing so. Example: His opinion piece is dripping with condescension—it’s written as if no one else is capable of understanding.

Other Word Forms

• noncondescension
  noun
• condescensive
  adjective
• condescensively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of condescension

First recorded in 1635–45, condescension is from the Late Latin word condēscēnsiōn- (stem of condēscēnsiō ). See con-, descension

Explanation

Condescension is an insulting way of talking to other people, as if they were stupid or ignorant. Condescension is rude and patronizing. Treating someone with condescension is the opposite of treating them with respect. Condescension is full of arrogant and snooty attitude, and people who practice condescension treat others like inferior idiots. Sarcasm goes well with condescension if you're trying to be a jerk. You can almost hear the word descent in condescension, so think of someone acting all high and mighty, looking down at everyone else.

Example Sentences

This makes for puckish satire of the literati and its highly cultured brand of condescension; at times the movie feels like a South American spin on a Noah Baumbach film.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

While explaining that the paper used to occupy the whole building, employing over 1000 people, our frenemy Ken remarks, “That’s absolutely insane, if I do say so myself,” saucing each word with condescension.

From Salon • Sep. 4, 2025

The Cuban president then criticised Feitó-Cabrera at the parliamentary session - albeit without mentioning her by name - saying the leadership could not "act with condescension" or be "disconnected from the realities" of the people.

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2025

He also offered more of the condescension toward his colleagues that defined the video — at one point referring to them as his “amateur gunsmithing colleagues” and blasting their decision as inept.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

Their explanation that “the Good Book say, ‘Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and be exceedingly glad’ ” did not in the least minimize the condescension of their fellow Christians.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou