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 Which left two of its longtime fans on the TIME culture team feeling a bit disappointed and condescended to. Judy Berman, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 The twins, who’ve made some cash working in Chicago for Al Capone, buy an old sawmill from a condescending white man named Hogwood (David Maldonado), who promises the KKK is no longer around these parts, so they won’t be bothered. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025 What the narrator has to get away from is the assortment of low-grade humiliations and condescending attitudes she is confronted with every day while clocked in at the restaurant. Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025 Being a Hollywood romantic (and deeply insecure), Remick can’t help himself when his fellow gala attendees condescend to him. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for condescend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescend
Verb
  • First, Eric Garcia stoops to head home a cross in the 19th minute.
    Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • One that clings to status, and one that stoops to serve.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When purchasing necessities, if possible, the Latino Freeze Movement says that Latino consumers should not patronize businesses that have discarded their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
    Noreen Sugrue, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • At trial, Nelson was convicted of four of the five remaining military counts, including going absent without authority, patronizing prostitutes, and two specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Condescend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescend. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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