condescend

[kon-duh-send] / ˌkɒn dəˈsɛnd /

VERB

stoop, humble oneself

Synonyms

STRONG

accommodate accord acquiesce agree bend comply concede deign descend favor grant oblige submit unbend vouchsafe yield

WEAK

be courteous come down off high horse degrade oneself demean oneself high-hat lower oneself see fit talk down to toss a few crumbs

Antonyms

STRONG

contradict decline deny disagree disallow disapprove disobey dispute dissent fight hinder oppose prevent protest refuse reject resist veto withhold

WEAK

rise above

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"When I started coaching women for the first time, I did not condescend to them," said Dorrance.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

Don’t question the character of his backers or condescend; appeal to their interests and positive dreams.

From Seattle Times • May 26, 2024

Leaving the ironies to us, she refuses to condescend to the character.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2022

They do not marginalize or condescend to him; Pira loves them unstintingly.

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2022

I told him that I might condescend to remove my hands if we were fed.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela