Condescension meaning

kŏn'dĭ-sĕn'shən
The definition of condescension refers to an attitude of superiority or looking down on others.

An attitude that you are generally better and smarter than everyone else is an example of condescension.

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The act of condescending; voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in intercourse with an inferior; courtesy toward inferiors. syn.

Conscious condescension breeds panderers and enemies, not friends.

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The act of condescending or an instance of it.
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Patronizingly superior behavior or attitude.
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Act or instance of condescending.
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A patronizing manner or behavior.
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Origin of condescension

  • Late Latin condēscēnsiō condēscēnsiōn- from condēscēnsus past participle of condēscendere to condescend condescend
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Condescension Sentence Examples

  • Natasha did not like the visitor's tone of condescension to childish things.

  • There was a shade of condescension and patronage in his treatment of Berg and Vera.

  • Muraviev, who already carried his nomination in his pocket, resented this condescension, and relegated Isvolsky to Belgrade and to Munich, where he had the rank of a minister plenipotentiary.

  • He arrogated to himself the privileges of royalty, made servants attend him upon their knees, compelled bishops to tie his shoelatchets and dukes to hold the basin while he washed his hands, and considered it condescension when he allowed ambassadors to kiss his fingers; he paid little heed to their sacrosanct character, and himself laid violent hands on a papal nuncio.

  • He wrote also a number of essays, such as "My Garden Acquaintance," "A Good Word for Winter," "On a Certain Condescension in Foreigners," which were incursions into the field of nature and society.

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Words near condescension in the Dictionary