condescension
Talking down behavior
Condescension is an attitude of superiority that shows in how someone speaks or behaves toward others.
A condescending person talks down to people, often while appearing gracious: His condescension was obvious in the way he explained basic concepts to the expert.
The word usually implies the superiority is unearned or the manner offensive, though historically it could mean a gracious willingness to lower oneself to others' level.
Treating someone as inferior
- disdainScornful disregard
- superciliousnessScornful sense of superiority
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
smugness · snobbishness · haughtiness · aloofness · snobbery · arrogance · self-importance · superiority
Expressing scorn facially
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- eye-rollingExpressive gesture of annoyance
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
lecturing · mansplaining · interrupting · explaining · correcting · humoring · tolerating · indulging
Preference for privileged rule
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
- snobberyPretentious social superiority
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
status · caste · ivory-tower · gatekeeping · exclusivity · in-group · out-group · othering
Disposition toward doing good
- protectivenessInstinct to shield others
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- magnanimityGenerous, noble spirit
charity · pity · solicitude · indulgence · forbearance · sufferance · graciousness · deigning
To make something seem unimportant
- trivializeMake light of
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- dismissSend away or reject
- underestimateJudge too low
deprecate · demean · devalue · disparage · discount · underrate · infantilize · marginalize
patronizing
Treating someone as inferior
- disdainScornful disregard
- superciliousnessScornful sense of superiority
- contemptDisdainful disregard
scorn · smugness · snobbishness · haughtiness · aloofness · snobbery · arrogance · self-importance · superiority · pompousness
sneering
Expressing scorn facially
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
- eye-rollingExpressive gesture of annoyance
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
patronizing · lecturing · mansplaining · interrupting · explaining · correcting · humoring · tolerating · indulging · deigning
elitism
Preference for privileged rule
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
- snobberyPretentious social superiority
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
hierarchy · status · caste · ivory-tower · gatekeeping · exclusivity · in-group · out-group · othering · microaggression
benevolence
Disposition toward doing good
- protectivenessInstinct to shield others
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
magnanimity · charity · pity · solicitude · indulgence · forbearance · sufferance · graciousness · deigning · stooping
belittle
To make something seem unimportant
- trivializeMake light of
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- dismissSend away or reject
underestimate · deprecate · demean · devalue · disparage · discount · underrate · infantilize · marginalize · invalidate
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- snideDerisively insinuating
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
derision · put-down · slight · jibe · barb · quip · dig · insinuation · taunt · sneer
- Affected Speechaffectation, airs, pretentiousness, posh accent, overenunciation
- bad attitudesnegativity, cynicism, pessimism, hostility, contempt
- bad behaviorcheating, stealing, lying, greed, selfishness
- contemptcontempt, scorn, disdain, despise, derision
- dismissive behaviorssnub, scorn, ignore, disdain, dismissal
- ego displaysarrogance, vanity, boasting, showboating, braggadocio
condescensionrespect
Regard with honor
deference · esteem · regard · admiration · reverence
condescensionhumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · meekness · self-effacement · unpretentiousness · humbleness
condescensiongraciousness
Courteous, kind demeanor
cordiality · collegiality · friendliness · warmth · geniality