condescending

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities
US /ˌkɑndəˈsɛndɪŋ/ UK /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ/
adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    showing a patronizing attitude of superiority

    His condescending tone made the interns bristle.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · showing a patronizing... patronizingsupercilioussuperiordisdainfulhaughtysnobbishlofty
Word family
Derived forms condescendingly

Etymology

Present participle of condescend, used adjectivally. Condescend derives from Late Latin condescendere ('to stoop'), from com- ('together') + descendere ('to descend').

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Topics

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