condescension

American  

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

noun

1. an act or instance of condescending. condescending.

2. behavior that is patronizing or condescending. condescending.

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

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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

• condescensive adjective
• condescensively adverb
• noncondescension noun

Etymology

Origin of condescension

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

Example Sentences

“As Mac he avoids both melodrama and condescension, finding climaxes in each small step toward rehabilitation, each new responsibility shouldered.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 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 sit-down turned acrimonious, with the Chinese accusing the Americans of "condescension and hypocrisy".

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025

Partnered people begrudge the pressure; single people resent the condescension.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025

“He kept asking if there were any deals we could do together, that kind of nonsense. And one day I told him I really preferred his condescension, and he hasn’t called me since.”

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie