noun
condescension
Condescension (noun) means Behaviour that seems polite on the surface but really shows that a person feels superior to others.
noun
1
Behaviour that seems polite on the surface but really shows that a person feels superior to others.
"Conscious condescension breeds panderers and enemies, not friends."
2
An attitude or way of behaving that talks down to other people.
"Yeltsin, meanwhile, was smarting at what he felt was Bill Clinton's condescension toward him."
— Paul Quinn-Judge, Yeltsin's Fast-Break Generals (1999)
"CBS Morning News anchor Bryant Gumbel indulged in a bout of on-air condescension about the campaign. "I stumbled upon Saturday's debate," he told viewers, "and it seemed a rather sad show.""
— Paul Taylor, TV's Political Profits (2000)
3
Friendly, polite treatment given by someone of higher status to someone of lower status.
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Etymology
Comes from Latin condēscēnsiō.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for condescension
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for condescension →
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of condescension?
"condescension" (noun) means behaviour that seems polite on the surface but really shows that a person feels superior to others.
What is another word for condescension?
Other words for "condescension" include superciliousness, patronage, condescendingness, disdain, disdainfulness.
What are the different meanings of condescension?
"condescension" has 3 main meanings: 1. Behaviour that seems polite on the surface but really shows that a person feels superior to others; 2. An attitude or way of behaving that talks down to other people; 3. Friendly, polite treatment given by someone of higher status to someone of lower status.
