Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense condescends, present participle condescending, past tense, past participle condescended
1. verb
If someone condescendsto do something, they agree to do it, but in a way which shows that they think they are better than other people and should not have to do it.
[disapproval]
He condescended to speak but he contradicted himself. [VERB to-infinitive]
2. verb
If you say that someone condescendsto other people, you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they behave in a way which shows that they think they are superior to other people.
[disapproval]
Don't condescend to me. [VERB + to]
[Also VERB]
More Synonyms of condescend
condescend in British English
(ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd)
verb(intransitive)
1.
to act graciously towards another or others regarded as being on a lower level; behave patronizingly
2.
to do something that one regards as below one's dignity
Word origin
C14: from Church Latin condēscendere to stoop, condescend, from Latin dēscendere to descend
condescend in American English
(ˌkɑndɪˈsɛnd)
verb intransitive
1.
to descend voluntarily to the level, regarded as lower, of the person one is dealing with; be graciously willing to do something regarded as beneath one's dignity; deign
2.
to deal with others in a proud or haughty way
3. Obsolete
to make concessions; agree; assent
SIMILAR WORDS: stoop
Word origin
ME condescenden < OFr condescendre < LL(Ec) condescendere, to let oneself down, condescend < L com-, together + descendere, descend
Examples of 'condescend' in a sentence
condescend
This attitude is condescending and short-sighted.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His presentation style is educational as well as entertaining, but in no way condescending.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You just have to lose the earnest, condescending attitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And his attitude is condescending.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Senior management, when in the lift, should always make a point of condescending to speak.
Thomas Blaikie Blaikie's Guide to Modern Manners (2005)
I sensed him smiling down in a condescending way and ushering me back into the building and onto the stage, tears and all.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
condescend
British English: condescend VERB
If someone condescends to do something, they agree to do it, but in a way which shows that they think they are better than other people and should not have to do it.
When he condescended to speak, he contradicted himself four times in the space of half an hour.
American English: condescend
Brazilian Portuguese: condescender
Chinese: 摆出高人一等的架子
European Spanish: dignarse
French: condescendre
German: sich herablassen
Italian: degnarsi
Japanese: もったいぶった態度で～することを合意する
Korean: 잘난 체 하며 ~해 주다
European Portuguese: condescender
Latin American Spanish: dignarse
1 (verb)
Definition
to behave patronizingly towards (one's supposed inferiors)
a writer who does not condescend to her readers
Synonyms
patronize
doctors who do not patronize their patients
talk down to
treat like a child
treat as inferior
treat condescendingly
2 (verb)
Definition
to do something as if it were beneath one's dignity
He never condescended to notice me.
Synonyms
deign
He didn't deign to reply.
see fit
lower yourself
be courteous enough
bend
submit
If I submitted to their demands, they would not press the allegations.
stoop
unbend (informal)
vouchsafe
come down off your high horse (informal)
humble or demean yourself
Additional synonyms
in the sense of submit
Definition
to accept the will of another person or a superior force
If I submitted to their demands, they would not press the allegations.