condescension

[ kon-duh-sen-shuh n ]

/ ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR condescension ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of condescending.

behavior that is patronizing or condescending.

voluntary assumption of equality with a person regarded as inferior.

Nearby words

Origin of condescension

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

Related formscon·de·scen·sive

[kon-duh-sen-siv] /ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn sɪv/, adjectivecon·de·scen·sive·ly, adverbnon·con·de·scen·sion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for condescension

President Kennedy smiled without a hint of condescension and extended a hand to Douglas that was at once firm and remarkably soft.
Michael Daly: My Last Day With JFK|Michael Daly|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The men in The Group behave with glibness, condescension, and even brutality toward the Vassar grads.
American Dreams, 1963: ‘The Group’ by Mary McCarthy|Nathaniel Rich|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ironically, their claims of condescension are condescending themselves.
GOP: Respect Women or Keep Losing|Kirsten Powers|November 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Earlier in the book, Murray waxed indignant about the "condescension toward the rabble" he detected in the new upper class.
Social Science Minus the Science|David Frum|February 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST

They take on a protective stance in public, and they exude insecurity in their condescension.
A Toast to Fabulous Women|Robin Givhan|November 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
This condescension seemed to have no other effect than that of encouraging their arrogance.
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Volume I|Tobias Smollett
M. Le Mesge smiled with condescension, meantime winking at Morhange with the eye nearest to him.
Atlantida|Pierre Benoit
I do not know how to acknowledge with sufficient humility the condescension and great kindness of your lordship's letter.
The Eustace Diamonds|Anthony Trollope
No condescension is needed, but ascension to a free and ready flight of fancy.
Special Method in Primary Reading and Oral Work with Stories|Charles Alexander McMurry
C's breeziness had in it a touch of condescension, or D's brusqueness was the brusqueness of assumed superiority.
The Knack of Managing|Lewis K. Urquhart and Herbert Watson

British Dictionary definitions for condescension

condescension

/ (ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of behaving in a patronizing way

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for condescension

condescension

1640s, from Late Latin condescensionem, noun of action from past participle stem of condescendere (see condescend).

condescension

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of condescension

Examples from the Web for condescension

condescension

noun

condescension