deign
verb
ˈdān 
deigned; deigning; deigns
intransitive verb
: to condescend reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one's superiority that is involved : stoop
would not even deign to talk to him
One iconoclastic architect, for example, doesn't deign to speak of bathrooms.
Carol Vogel
Carol Vogeltransitive verb
: to condescend to give or offer
never so much as deigning a glance George Meredith
George Meredith
Synonyms
- condescend
- stoop
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I wouldn't deign to answer that absurd accusation.
Recent Examples on the Web If this sacred tenet was being shattered — Mr. Hastings had long pledged Netflix would never deign to show commercials — what could be next? New York Times, 30 June 2022 The UConn administration did not deign to participate in the ensuing debate, despite the growing escalation and vitriol. Aron Ravin, National Review, 3 Apr. 2022 Her dazzling turn in Hustlers—as the Lucite-cool veteran stripper queen Ramona—once again reminded moviegoers how much Lopez has to offer as a dramatic actor, even if the Academy didn’t deign to notice. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Feb. 2022 At the beginning of her career, Hayek had to develop these inventive looks independently, as many luxury brands wouldn’t deign to dress her. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021 If your dog won’t deign to sip from a dish, consider giving this slick and smart dog water bottle from PupFlask a try. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 8 July 2021 The new responsum, in effect, leaves L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics in limbo, trying to make sense of a Church that will not deign to bless their lives. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2021 CBS Sports, the broadcast and business partner of the NCAA, promotes its interactive men’s backet but won’t even deign to offer an interactive women’s bracket. Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2021 Some alumni of prestigious schools won’t deign to wear their own school’s gear, anyway. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2021 See More
New York Times, 30 June 2022 The UConn administration did not deign to participate in the ensuing debate, despite the growing escalation and vitriol. Aron Ravin, National Review, 3 Apr. 2022 Her dazzling turn in Hustlers—as the Lucite-cool veteran stripper queen Ramona—once again reminded moviegoers how much Lopez has to offer as a dramatic actor, even if the Academy didn’t deign to notice. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Feb. 2022 At the beginning of her career, Hayek had to develop these inventive looks independently, as many luxury brands wouldn’t deign to dress her. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021 If your dog won’t deign to sip from a dish, consider giving this slick and smart dog water bottle from PupFlask a try. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 8 July 2021 The new responsum, in effect, leaves L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics in limbo, trying to make sense of a Church that will not deign to bless their lives. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2021 CBS Sports, the broadcast and business partner of the NCAA, promotes its interactive men’s backet but won’t even deign to offer an interactive women’s bracket. Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2021 Some alumni of prestigious schools won’t deign to wear their own school’s gear, anyway. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French deigner, from Latin dignare, dignari, from dignus worthy — more at decent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
deign
verb
ˈdān
deigned; deigning
: to do something a person considers below his or her dignity
The teenager deigned to play with his little cousin.
deigns
verb
as in stoops
to descend to a level that is beneath one's dignity I wouldn't deign to answer that absurd accusation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- stoops
- condescends
- shames
- disgraces
- humbles
- humiliates
- debases
- demeans
- dishonors
- degrades
- discredits
- abases
- lowers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rises