Condescension
/ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnʃən/
nounC2
Definition
Condescension means when a person behaves in a way that shows they think they are superior (better) to others. It often happens when someone talks down to others or treats them as if they are less smart, less capable, or less important. This attitude can make others feel hurt or small.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
An attitude or behavior where someone treats others as less important or less intelligent
- •His condescension made everyone uncomfortable during the meeting.
- •She spoke with condescension, as if we didn’t understand the simplest idea.
- •The manager’s condescension toward new employees hurt their confidence.
The act of lowering oneself to do something for others, sometimes with a feeling of superiority (less common, more formal or old-fashioned)
- •The queen’s condescension to visit the small village surprised the residents.
- •He showed condescension by agreeing to help, but his tone was not kind.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "condescension" like "rudeness," but more about acting like you are better, not just being impolite.
- ✓Picture someone looking down from a tall ladder, speaking to a person on the ground as if they are a child.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone explains something very simple to you but in a way that makes you feel stupid.
- ✓Sounds like "con-DISS-end-shun" → imagine someone saying "DISS" (disrespect) while standing above others.
- ✓Remember a teacher who talks to adults like they are little kids — that is condescension.
- ✓NOT like "help" (which is kind and equal), condescension feels like help but with a hidden message: "You can't do it yourself."
- ✓NOT like "criticism" (which points out mistakes), condescension is more about attitude and how you treat others.
- ✓NOT like "arrogance" (which is just thinking you are better), condescension shows this by how you act toward others.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Patronizing attitude: acting as if you are better (Use when describing behavior that feels like looking down on others)
- •Snobbery: thinking you are better than others because of social status (Use when the superiority is about class or wealth)
- •Disdain: strong dislike combined with feeling superior (Use when the feeling is more about dislike than just attitude)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "con-" (together, with) + "descend" (to go down) + "-sion" (noun suffix) → literally means "the act of going down"
- •Etymology: From Latin "condescendere," meaning to stoop or lower oneself to another's level
- •Historical development: Originally had a neutral or positive meaning of humbling oneself to help others, but over time it gained a negative meaning of acting superior while doing so
- •Modern usage: Mostly used to describe a negative attitude where someone treats others as less important or less smart
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can condescension ever be kind or helpful, or is it always hurtful? When might it be misunderstood?
•How do you feel when someone talks to you with condescension? How does that affect your relationship with them?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.When a person shows condescension, they often speak ___ to others, making them feel less ___.
2.Condescension usually happens because someone wants to show their ___ or ___.
3.Unlike simple criticism, condescension carries an ___ attitude that can hurt feelings.
4.Saying "Let me explain it slowly for you" with condescension means the speaker thinks the listener is ___.
5.People often avoid talking to someone who uses condescension because it makes conversations feel ___.
6.Condescension can sometimes appear in phrases like "I'm only telling you this ___ because I care."
7.If a leader treats their team with condescension, it can ___ the team's motivation and trust.