condescension

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "condescension" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation where someone speaks or behaves in a patronizing manner, especially towards someone of a lower social rank. For example: "The professor's condescension made the student feel uncomfortable and embarrassed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not because barely any of the celebrities actually live in Lucas's constituency, which makes the whole thing stink of eat-your-vegetables condescension.

The Guardian

In the 19th century it inspired only condescension.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You may have already noticed this because Twitter has gone into full-blown condescension mode.

The Guardian

There was one clear winner and it was women: Bennett, Sturgeon and Wood all calmly holding their own in the face of Farage shouting over them with condescension at every turn.

The Guardian - Opinion

The obsession of the cerebral with the celebrity reaches back to her own life, as is affirmed by a new film, My Week With Marilyn: it recounts the condescension of Laurence Olivier and her husband Arthur Miller.

The Guardian - Opinion

A recent hoax highlighted the resentment many feel against the perceived condescension of rich CEOs when jobs are unavailable and student debt is high.

The Guardian - Money

The song's condescension towards yokels is reminiscent of professional investors' disdain for their retail counterparts.

The Economist

The nickname might imply condescension, but Medium's profile makes clear that many people applaud him.Mr Henderson is not alone in an all-consuming linguistic passion.

The Economist

Even Appalachian Democrats find the coastal condescension annoying.

The Economist

That acerbic condescension reflects one of this country's fundamental problems: an empathy gap.

The Economist

It is hard to imagine King Abdullah holding his own against such seasoned politicians, let alone wringing concessions from them.President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, epitomising the faint air of condescension exuded by many of the Arab leaders at the funeral, called the 37-year-old king "a very good young man".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "condescension" to describe subtle yet noticeable behaviors that imply a sense of superiority, rather than outright insults or aggression. The term captures the nuance of implied disdain.

Common error

Avoid using "condescension" when the situation involves explicit insults or clear expressions of contempt. "Condescension" is about subtle cues and unspoken assumptions of superiority, not overt hostility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "condescension" is as a noun, typically used to describe an attitude or behavior characterized by a sense of superiority. Ludwig AI exemplifies this in various contexts, portraying it as both a subtle action and a perceived trait.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "condescension" is a noun that describes behavior indicating a sense of superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Formal contexts. To avoid common mistakes, it's crucial to differentiate "condescension" from overt contempt, focusing instead on its subtle and implied nature. When writing, using alternatives like ""patronizing attitude"" can provide nuanced descriptions. With a high expert rating, understanding its grammatical function and purpose ensures its correct and impactful use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superciliousness

Highlights an arrogance and haughtiness.

patronizing attitude

Focuses on the attitude rather than the behavior itself.

disdainful behavior

Emphasizes the outward actions showing contempt.

haughty demeanor

Focuses on the overall presentation of arrogance.

superiority complex

Highlights the underlying psychological trait of feeling superior.

treating with disdain

Highlights the act of showing contempt for someone.

patronage

Implies support with an undertone of being superior.

airs of superiority

Suggests an affected or pretentious display of being better.

talking down to

Refers specifically to speaking to someone in a patronizing way.

looking down on

An informal expression for treating someone as inferior.

FAQs

How can I use "condescension" in a sentence?

You can use "condescension" to describe actions or attitudes that subtly imply a sense of superiority. For example, "His "patronizing attitude" was a clear sign of "condescension"."

What's the difference between "condescension" and "contempt"?

"Condescension" implies a subtle feeling of superiority, while "contempt" is a more overt and intense feeling of disdain or disgust.

Which is correct, "an act of condescension" or "a behavior of condescension"?

"An act of "condescension"" is more common and natural. "Behavior of "condescension"" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What can I say instead of "condescension"?

You can use alternatives like ""patronizing attitude"", "superiority complex", or "disdainful behavior" depending on the specific context.