condescends

Acts smugly superior

Condescends means to act as though you're lowering yourself to someone else's level, often with an air of superiority: She condescends to speak with the interns once a year.

The word can describe genuine graciousness from someone of higher status, but more often implies patronizing behavior—treating others as beneath you while pretending to be kind: He condescends to everyone who didn't go to his alma mater.

patronizing

talks down

Speaks condescendingly to

belittlesDiminishes someone's worth
patronizesTalks down to others
demeansCauses loss of dignity

dismisses · underestimates · trivializes · oversimplifies · dumbs down · lectures · preaches · infantilizes · paternalistic · maternalistic

disdainful

sneers

Contemptuous facial expressions

scoffsExpresses mocking disbelief
looks down onRegards as inferior
scornsRegards with contempt

mocks · derides · disparages · disdains · contemptuous · supercilious · haughty · snobbish · aloof · dismissive

superiority

arrogance

Excessive self-importance

self-importanceExaggerated sense of significance
pompousnessSelf-important display of grandeur
smugnessExcessive pride in oneself

egotism · snobbery · elitism · hubris · overbearing · high-handed · presumptuous · grandiose · puffed up · full of oneself

Opposites

respect and regard for others

condescendsrespects

Holds in high regard

esteems · defers · honors · venerates · admires

humility vs. superiority

condescendsdefers

Postpones or yields

elevates · looks up to · kowtows · uplifts · empowers

GRACIOUS YIELDING (archaic sense)

condescendsstands on ceremony

Insists on formality

Family

condescend, condescending, condescension, condescended, condescendingly

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G