Condescension definition

kŏndĭ-sĕnshən
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 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.

noun
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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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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
condescension
Plural:
condescensions

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 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.

  • It was a time when the pen was more powerful than the sword, when a secretary of state would treat with condescension a Witty pamphleteer, and when such a pamphleteer might hope, not in vain, to become a secretary of state.

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Words near condescension in the Dictionary