condescension
Americannoun
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an act or instance of condescending.
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behavior that is patronizing or condescending.
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voluntary assumption of equality with a person regarded as inferior.
noun
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing condescension
A Christmas Carol
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X
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A Thousand Splendid Suns
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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.
“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
Fastvold doesn’t judge Lee’s convictions; there isn’t an ounce of cynicism or condescension.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025
The sit-down turned acrimonious, with the Chinese accusing the Americans of "condescension and hypocrisy".
From BBC • Aug. 12, 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
“More than you can afford,” the woman shot back, giving them a smile that dripped with condescension.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
