Condescension Meaning and Definition
Condescension
Pronunciation
/kənˌdɛsˈɛnʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The act of treating someone with kindness and compassion, often in a superior or patronizing manner, usually with a condescending tone, implying that the recipient is inferior or lacking in intelligence or judgment.
Examples
- The professor, renowned for her condescending teaching style, constantly talked down to her students.
- The used car salesman’s condescending attitude turned off the potential buyer.
- Her condescending tone made her friends feel uncomfortable during the conversation.
- The coach’s condescending remarks left the player feeling belittled.
- The politician’s condescending speech towards the minority groups sparked outrage.
- The teacher’s condescending remarks made the student feel stupid.
Synonyms
- Patronizing
- Sneering
- Superior
- Belittling
Antonyms
- Courtesy
- Respect
- Kindness
Etymology
The word “condescension” comes from the Latin “condescendere”, meaning “to descend”, and the suffix “-ion”, indicating a process or action.
Usage Notes
When using the word “condescension”, consider the tone and context to avoid misunderstandings. It’s essential to use the word with precision to convey the intended meaning.
Cultural References
Famous instances of condescension include scenes from movies like “The Social Network” and “The Wolf of Wall Street”, where characters display condescending attitudes towards others.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Phrases that include “condescension” include “condescending towards”, “talking down to”, and “patronizing someone”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “condescension” include “patronizing”, “superior”, and “belittling”.
Collocations
“Condescension” is often collocated with words like “attitude”, “tone”, “manner”, and “style”.
Frequency of Use
“Condescension” is a relatively infrequent word in modern language, used mostly in formal or professional contexts.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “condescension” include “condescension”, “condescenting”, and “condescent”.