Need another word for Condescending? Use these synonyms of Condescending from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
patronizing
superior
arrogant
haughty
disdainful
scornful
dismissive
belittling
demeaning
insulting
mocking
sneering
snobbish
snooty
high-handed
overbearing
imperious
lordly
condescending
supercilious
lofty
prideful
egotistical
self-important
pretentious
smug
complacent
patronizingly
superiorly
disdainfully
scornfully
dismissively
belittlingly
demeaningly
insultingly
mockingly
sneeringly
snobbishly
snootily
high-handedly
overbearingly
imperiously
lordly
loftily
pridefully
egotistically
self-importantly
pretentiously
smugly
complacently
Meaning of Condescending
having or showing an attitude of superiority
Definitions
- Having or showing an attitude of superiority, often in a way that is considered rude or insulting
- * Talking or behaving in a way that shows you think you are better or more important than others
Etymology of Condescending
The word "condescending" has its roots in the Latin words "con" (meaning "together") and "descendere" (meaning "to come down"), and the suffix "-ing" which forms a present participle
Historically, the word "condescending" originally meant "stooping" or "coming down" to someone's level, often in a way that was considered gracious or benevolent
Over time, the word took on a more negative connotation, implying a sense of superiority or patronage
Example Uses
- The condescending tone in her voice made me feel belittled and unimportant
- * He spoke to us in a condescending manner, as if we were children who couldn't understand complex ideas
- * The professor's condescending attitude towards his students made it difficult for them to approach him with questions
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
respectful
considerate
humble
modest
unassuming
courteous
polite
gracious
benevolent
kind
friendly
approachable
egalitarian
democratic
unpretentious
straightforward
sincere
genuine
honest
open-minded
receptive
tolerant
empathetic
supportive
encouraging