1
as in to stoop
to descend to a level that is beneath one's dignity I will not condescend to answer the sore loser's charge that I cheated in order to win the race

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2
as in to patronize
to assume or treat with an air of superiority wealthy people who tend to be condescending toward their poor relations

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of condescend History is seldom kind to the men who condescend to it. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 June 2025 Santos bullies her fellow trainees at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center with condescending nicknames and treats patients like game pieces. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025 The jeers, while condescending in nature, came from a crowd of Lakers fans who are genuinely grateful to have Doncic in Los Angeles. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025 González is a fountain of knowledge but also a great educator, explaining things in detail without being pretentious or condescending. Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
  • Starmer stooped to pick them up, later explaining that he was compelled to ditch diplomatic decorum because anyone else trying to help risked spooking the president’s security team.
    Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • Her hand rested against one cage, where a black cat with a white smudge on the bridge of his nose stooped to drink from a dish of water.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Vera looked through the mesh on the windows at the Black people across the block who patronized a fish store.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • Among the many locals that have patronized Andy’s is La Grange Park’s six-term village president, James Discipio.
    Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

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