look down on

Idioms

Also, look down one's nose at. Regard with contempt or condescension, consider oneself superior to. For example, When it comes to baking, Beth is a purist—she looks down on anyone who uses a mix, or Seniors have a way of looking down their noses at juniors. The first expression dates from about 1700, the second from about 1900.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

look down on

Why do wealthy retirees look down on those with less savings?

From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026

“I don’t look down on any style of play,” Lloyd said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026

From the front, 108 windows that might remind you of Austin Powers look down on you.

From BBC ● Jan. 4, 2025

Archie’s inclination is to look down on everyone else; Laszlo’s first reaction is always curiosity.

From Salon ● Nov. 11, 2024

“No, I wouldn’t! I wouldn’t think I was better than everybody else. I wouldn’t look down on other people who look like me. Take Warren, for instance....”

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023