talk down

verb

talked down; talking down; talks down

intransitive verb

: to speak in a condescending or oversimplified fashion

transitive verb

: to disparage or belittle by talking

Examples of talk down in a Sentence

a company that prefers to talk up its own products rather than talk down those of its competitors
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 53-year-old artist shared an Instagram video where animals are wearing human clothing and doing human activity while talking down on the current music landscape. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025 Don’t patronize, don’t over-explain, don’t talk down to them in any way. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 Nobody likes being talked down to, and the movies that are delivering more than one kind of dopamine hit are what’s connecting. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025 Some say the programs are too dry, or talk down to younger investors, or feel outdated. Robert Frank, CNBC, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for talk down

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of talk down was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Talk down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talk%20down. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

talk down

verb
: to speak in an overly simple manner as if to a person who does not know much
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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