condescending
Talking down to
Condescending describes behavior that implies superiority over the person being addressed—a patronizing tone that suggests the other person is less intelligent, capable, or worthy of respect: Don't be so condescending; I understand the basics.
The word carries strong negative judgment; calling someone condescending is never a compliment.
A condescending smile, condescending explanation, or condescending attitude all suggest the person thinks they're doing you a favor by engaging at your level.
Excessively high self-regard
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
superior · disdainful · snobbish · pompous · self-important · overbearing · imperious · lofty
Patronizing verbal manner
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
pitying · sneering · eye-rolling · mansplaining · lecturing · preaching · sermonizing · explaining
Mockingly insincere in tone
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
- derisiveExpressing contemptuous ridicule
- scornfulShowing open contempt
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
disparaging · deprecating · sardonic · snide · cutting · biting · caustic · acerbic
Showing contempt through words
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
- degradingLowering in worth
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
infantilizing · diminishing · marginalizing · othering · objectifying · stereotyping · underestimating · overlooking
arrogant
Excessively high self-regard
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
smug · superior · disdainful · snobbish · pompous · self-important · overbearing · imperious · lofty · high-and-mighty
talking down
Patronizing verbal manner
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
patronage · pitying · sneering · eye-rolling · mansplaining · lecturing · preaching · sermonizing · explaining · correcting
sarcastic
Mockingly insincere in tone
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
- derisiveExpressing contemptuous ridicule
- scornfulShowing open contempt
contemptuous · disparaging · deprecating · sardonic · snide · cutting · biting · caustic · acerbic · withering
insulting
Showing contempt through words
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
- degradingLowering in worth
humiliating · infantilizing · diminishing · marginalizing · othering · objectifying · stereotyping · underestimating · overlooking · sidelining
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- pretentiousnesspretentious, pretentiousness, pretension, pompous, pomposity
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
condescendingrespectful
Showing proper regard
egalitarian · deferential · humble · admiring · reverent
condescendinggracious
Pleasantly kind and courteous
approachable · friendly · warm · genuine · sincere
condescendinghumble
Unassuming about oneself
modest · self-effacing · unpretentious · unassuming · meek