condescend
5 synonyms for condescend, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To treat someone as though they are inferior; to talk down to them.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use condescend
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
condescend to someone
condescending tone
Etymology
From Old French condescendre, from Late Latin condescendere ("to stoop down"), from con- plus descendere ("to descend").
Full origin of condescend →Frequently asked questions
What does “condescend” mean?
The word “condescend” means to treat someone as though they are inferior; to talk down to them. In plain terms, to act superior toward someone, or to lower yourself to do something you consider beneath you.
How do you pronounce “condescend”?
“Condescend” is pronounced kon-dih-SEHND (/ˌkɑndəˈsɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “condescend” in a sentence?
Here is “condescend” used in a sentence: “He always condescends to junior staff instead of explaining things properly.”
What part of speech is “condescend”?
“Condescend” is a verb.
Where does the word “condescend” come from?
The word “condescend” comes from Late Latin. From Old French condescendre, from Late Latin condescendere ("to stoop down"), from con- plus descendere ("to descend").
How many meanings does “condescend” have?
“Condescend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to treat someone as though they are inferior; to talk down to them.
