as in arrogance
the attitude or behavior of people who believe they are more intelligent or better than other people
The author discusses the politics of the region without condescension.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of condescension
Gartside seemed aware of a certain potential for racial condescension in his worship of Franklin and unsure of how to resolve it, struggling to offer an explanation that satisfied him of her role in the cosmology of Cupid and Psyche 85.
—
Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Amos sketches Pskov’s residents with deep interest and sympathy, yet without condescension or sentimentality.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but generally people of every stripe respond better to kindness and respect than to fury and condescension.
—Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2025
As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Amos sketches Pskov’s residents with deep interest and sympathy, yet without condescension or sentimentality.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but generally people of every stripe respond better to kindness and respect than to fury and condescension.
—Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2025
As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for condescension
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condescension
Noun
-
The doctor further explained that the traits of a narcissist encompass low empathy, arrogance, entitlement, grandiosity and pathological selfishness.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
They both, in a good way, reek of confidence – not arrogance but confidence.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Until then, the SPLC mainly made money off of its donor base’s disdain toward the Ku Klux Klan.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Part of what made La Peste distinctive was the vocal balance Dayton struck, between disdain and an almost deadpan affect.—
Eric R. Danton,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are those who once thought that the superiority of machines would cause a crisis for chess—and for humanity.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Piech wanted to show off the superiority of VW Group’s engineering.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Washington is trying to reduce China’s dominance over critical mineral supply chains.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Denver had a hot start in the first half, with attacking duo Melissa Kössler and Natasha Flint continuing their dominance this season and scoring in the 16th and 32nd minutes, respectively.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The first Gulf War, in 1991, doubled oil prices and sparked inflation.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While they are all expected to leave interest rates unchanged, investors are keen to know how officials view the inflation threat posed by the oil shock stemming from the US-Iran conflict.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even so, nuclear is the closest point of convergence between the two parties — a rare area where attitudes are narrowing rather than widening.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But the team attitude appears to be in a healthy place.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Condescension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condescension. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
