patronising
Talking down to
Patronising is the British spelling of patronizing—treating someone as if they're inferior or less intelligent.
A patronising tone suggests condescension, speaking down to someone while pretending kindness: Don't be so patronising; I know how to use a computer.
The word carries an accusation: the patronising person may think they're being helpful, but they're actually being insulting.
Superior and dismissive manner
- talk downSpeak patronizingly to someone
- paternalisticRestrictive under guise of care
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
supercilious · superior · haughty · snobbish · lofty · imperious · lordly · high-handed
Showing contemptuous disregard
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- scornfulShowing open contempt
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
derisive · snide · scathing · withering · aloof · indifferent · disregard · brush off
Quality of sound
- mannerWay of behaving
- attitudeSettled way of thinking
- airGaseous envelope surrounding Earth
- deliveryConveyance of goods
inflection · intonation · phrasing · wording · register · voice · expression · affectation
To make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
- diminishTo make smaller
- trivializeMake light of
- underestimateJudge too low
undervalue · infantilize · disparage · deprecate · denigrate · dismiss · disrespect · slight
condescending
Superior and dismissive manner
- talk downSpeak patronizingly to someone
- paternalisticRestrictive under guise of care
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
smug · supercilious · superior · haughty · snobbish · lofty · imperious · lordly · high-handed · overbearing
dismissive
Showing contemptuous disregard
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- scornfulShowing open contempt
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
sneering · derisive · snide · scathing · withering · aloof · indifferent · disregard · brush off · wave away
tone
Quality of sound
delivery · inflection · intonation · phrasing · wording · register · voice · expression · affectation · unctuous
belittle
To make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
- diminishTo make smaller
- trivializeMake light of
underestimate · undervalue · infantilize · disparage · deprecate · denigrate · dismiss · disrespect · slight · put down
patronisingrespectful
Showing proper regard
egalitarian · humble · deferential · unpretentious · genuine
patronisingearnest
Sincerely intense in purpose
unpretentious · well-meaning · straightforward · honest · direct
patronisingboycott
Organized economic protest
shunning · avoiding · neglecting · abandoning · snubbing