Condescend
verb
To behave as if you are more important and more intelligent than other people.
She speaks slowly and clearly, as though we might not understand her, as though she were condescending to ignorant children.
Often appears as...
- condescend to do something
- condescend to somebody
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To willingly do something that you think is beneath your dignity or social level.
I would not condescend to respond to such an insult.
Often appears as...
- condescend to respond
- condescend to participate
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
verb
To behave as if you are more important and more intelligent than other people.
She speaks slowly and clearly, as though we might not understand her, as though she were condescending to ignorant children.
Often appears as...
- condescend to do something
- condescend to somebody
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To willingly do something that you think is beneath your dignity or social level.
I would not condescend to respond to such an insult.
Often appears as...
- condescend to respond
- condescend to participate
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Tone of Superiority
Using 'condescend' can imply that someone feels superior and is acting in a haughty way.
His tone was condescending, as if he was the only expert in the room.
Pro Tip 2/3Implied Insult
Being condescending often unintentionally insults the other person, suggesting they're less capable or worthy.
When he condescended to explain the basics, I felt he underestimated my knowledge.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that seeming condescending can cause offense, cultural norms for respect can vary greatly.
In her attempt to be friendly, her condescending attitude offended the locals.
Pro Tip 1/3Tone of Superiority
Using 'condescend' can imply that someone feels superior and is acting in a haughty way.
His tone was condescending, as if he was the only expert in the room.
Pro Tip 2/3Implied Insult
Being condescending often unintentionally insults the other person, suggesting they're less capable or worthy.
When he condescended to explain the basics, I felt he underestimated my knowledge.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that seeming condescending can cause offense, cultural norms for respect can vary greatly.
In her attempt to be friendly, her condescending attitude offended the locals.
Pro Tip 1/3Tone of Superiority
Using 'condescend' can imply that someone feels superior and is acting in a haughty way.
His tone was condescending, as if he was the only expert in the room.
Pro Tip 2/3Implied Insult
Being condescending often unintentionally insults the other person, suggesting they're less capable or worthy.
When he condescended to explain the basics, I felt he underestimated my knowledge.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that seeming condescending can cause offense, cultural norms for respect can vary greatly.
In her attempt to be friendly, her condescending attitude offended the locals.
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Video examples
Tribal leadership -...
and the other said no that's great congratulations next one got kind of a wry smile on his face and said well well you were you know doing your research notice the condescending tone well you were off doing your research I was off doing more surgeries than anyone else in the Department of Surgery at this institution and the third one got the same wry smile
Video examples
My journey from Marine...
and if you get it right you win a date, which was a chaperoned walk around the parade deck with this already married, pregnant cheerleader -- Nothing against cheerleaders, I love cheerleaders. The point is more, how great would it be to have theater presented through characters that were accessible without being condescending.
Video examples
David Logan: Tribal...
notice the condescending tone -- "While you were off doing your research, I was off doing more surgeries than anyone else in the department of surgery at this institution." And the third one got the same wry smile and said, "Well, while you were off doing your research, and you were off doing your monkey meatball surgery,
Video examples
Letting go of God PIPE...
without the use of intercourse, and the fact that she was a virgin is maniacally important to us." "And she had a baby, and that's the son of God," I mean, I would think that's equally ridiculous. I'm just so used to that story. So, I couldn't let myself feel condescending towards these boys.
Video examples
Let's try emotional...
from all the knuckle-dragging. That, by the way, in case you're paying attention, is not emotionally correct. But liberals on my side, we can be self-righteous, we can be condescending, we can be dismissive of anyone who doesn't agree with us. In other words, we can be politically right
Video examples
The keys to a great...
All experiences are individual. And, more importantly, it is not about you. Conversations are not a promotional opportunity. Number Try not to repeat yourself. It's condescending, and it's really boring, and we tend to do it a lot. Number Stay out of the weeds.
Video examples
The big impact of small...
greatest resource of our talented innovative population then frankly the ideal that such a nation can't be self-governing is it's rather condescending and silly so the argument has to be made in a positive way and and that's what we're setting about doing
Video examples
I don't want children --...
only to be turned down so many times, often with such blatant disrespect that they just gave up. Women reported that medical practitioners were often condescending and dismissive of their motivations, being told things like,
Video examples
A letter to all who have...
that the system that has been good to me, that has made my life ever more seamless, is also the best system for you. I have condescended to you
Video examples
Celeste Headlee: 10 ways...
Conversations are not a promotional opportunity. Number Try not to repeat yourself. It's condescending, and it's really boring,
Video examples
Tribal leadership -...
and the other said no that's great congratulations next one got kind of a wry smile on his face and said well well you were you know doing your research notice the condescending tone well you were off doing your research I was off doing more surgeries than anyone else in the Department of Surgery at this institution and the third one got the same wry smile
Video examples
My journey from Marine...
and if you get it right you win a date, which was a chaperoned walk around the parade deck with this already married, pregnant cheerleader -- Nothing against cheerleaders, I love cheerleaders. The point is more, how great would it be to have theater presented through characters that were accessible without being condescending.
Video examples
David Logan: Tribal...
notice the condescending tone -- "While you were off doing your research, I was off doing more surgeries than anyone else in the department of surgery at this institution." And the third one got the same wry smile and said, "Well, while you were off doing your research, and you were off doing your monkey meatball surgery,
Video examples
Letting go of God PIPE...
without the use of intercourse, and the fact that she was a virgin is maniacally important to us." "And she had a baby, and that's the son of God," I mean, I would think that's equally ridiculous. I'm just so used to that story. So, I couldn't let myself feel condescending towards these boys.
Video examples
Let's try emotional...
from all the knuckle-dragging. That, by the way, in case you're paying attention, is not emotionally correct. But liberals on my side, we can be self-righteous, we can be condescending, we can be dismissive of anyone who doesn't agree with us. In other words, we can be politically right
Video examples
The keys to a great...
All experiences are individual. And, more importantly, it is not about you. Conversations are not a promotional opportunity. Number Try not to repeat yourself. It's condescending, and it's really boring, and we tend to do it a lot. Number Stay out of the weeds.
Video examples
The big impact of small...
greatest resource of our talented innovative population then frankly the ideal that such a nation can't be self-governing is it's rather condescending and silly so the argument has to be made in a positive way and and that's what we're setting about doing
Video examples
I don't want children --...
only to be turned down so many times, often with such blatant disrespect that they just gave up. Women reported that medical practitioners were often condescending and dismissive of their motivations, being told things like,
Video examples
A letter to all who have...
that the system that has been good to me, that has made my life ever more seamless, is also the best system for you. I have condescended to you
Video examples
Celeste Headlee: 10 ways...
Conversations are not a promotional opportunity. Number Try not to repeat yourself. It's condescending, and it's really boring,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Teju Cole
Nigerian Writer
There are many people who know nothing of a world in which we take the reality of the 'other' seriously. I'm running on that platform: other people in other countries are really, really real, and there has to be a way of presenting their reality that is not condescending to them or about our psycho-social needs.
Quote examples
James Howard Kunstler
American Author
Black America surely faces an existential crisis, but not the one imagined in the condescending news media - of somehow getting non-black America to be more just and generous. The truth is, we've already been through that, and there is nothing left to do. We're out of 'affirmative actions' of all kinds.
Quote examples
Magnus Scheving
Icelander Writer
The worst mistake you can make with children is to talk to them in a condescending, patronising way and think that you can teach them something. You have to understand that it is you who will be learning from them. You have to get into their world and see things from their perspective.
Quote examples
Charlie Kaufman
American Screenwriter
I hate a movie that will end by telling you that the first thing you should do is learn to love yourself. That is so insulting and condescending, and so meaningless. My characters don't learn to love each other or themselves.
Quote examples
Rush Limbaugh
American Entertainer
Liberals are some of the most arrogant, condescending smart alecks, but they're just pure ignorant, and they fit the bill of people who have no love and no respect for the founding of this country.
Quote examples
Helen Mirren
British Actress
Two phrases I hate in reference to female characters are 'strong' and 'feisty.' They really annoy me. It's the most condescending thing. You say that about a three-year-old. It infantilises women.
Quote examples
Mary L. Trump
American Psychologist
Donald's need for affirmation is so great that he doesn't seem to notice that the largest group of his supporters are people he wouldn't condescend to be seen with outside of a rally.
Quote examples
Brett Gelman
American Actor
I think comedy is incredibly discriminated against. It is one of the most enjoyed yet most condescended art forms in the world. It's the same thing with hip-hop.
Quote examples
Claire Danes
American Actress
My parents never condescended to me. As a child, I always sat at the head of our dinner table. I was always given a lot of responsibility.
Quote examples
Isaac D'Israeli
British Writer
Fortune has rarely condescended to be the companion of genius.
Quote examples
Teju Cole
Nigerian Writer
There are many people who know nothing of a world in which we take the reality of the 'other' seriously. I'm running on that platform: other people in other countries are really, really real, and there has to be a way of presenting their reality that is not condescending to them or about our psycho-social needs.
Quote examples
James Howard Kunstler
American Author
Black America surely faces an existential crisis, but not the one imagined in the condescending news media - of somehow getting non-black America to be more just and generous. The truth is, we've already been through that, and there is nothing left to do. We're out of 'affirmative actions' of all kinds.
Quote examples
Magnus Scheving
Icelander Writer
The worst mistake you can make with children is to talk to them in a condescending, patronising way and think that you can teach them something. You have to understand that it is you who will be learning from them. You have to get into their world and see things from their perspective.
Quote examples
Charlie Kaufman
American Screenwriter
I hate a movie that will end by telling you that the first thing you should do is learn to love yourself. That is so insulting and condescending, and so meaningless. My characters don't learn to love each other or themselves.
Quote examples
Rush Limbaugh
American Entertainer
Liberals are some of the most arrogant, condescending smart alecks, but they're just pure ignorant, and they fit the bill of people who have no love and no respect for the founding of this country.
Quote examples
Helen Mirren
British Actress
Two phrases I hate in reference to female characters are 'strong' and 'feisty.' They really annoy me. It's the most condescending thing. You say that about a three-year-old. It infantilises women.
Quote examples
Mary L. Trump
American Psychologist
Donald's need for affirmation is so great that he doesn't seem to notice that the largest group of his supporters are people he wouldn't condescend to be seen with outside of a rally.
Quote examples
Brett Gelman
American Actor
I think comedy is incredibly discriminated against. It is one of the most enjoyed yet most condescended art forms in the world. It's the same thing with hip-hop.
Quote examples
Claire Danes
American Actress
My parents never condescended to me. As a child, I always sat at the head of our dinner table. I was always given a lot of responsibility.
Quote examples
Isaac D'Israeli
British Writer
Fortune has rarely condescended to be the companion of genius.
Example 1 of 10
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