talk down to
Speak with condescension
To talk down to someone is to speak in a condescending or patronizing way, as if they were less intelligent or capable than you: Don't talk down to me—I understand the situation perfectly well.
The phrase suggests addressing someone as though they were beneath you, treating an adult like a child or an expert like a novice.
Superior and dismissive manner
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- superiorHigher in rank
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
snobbish · pompous · smug · overbearing · imperious · high-handed · lofty · self-important
condescending
Superior and dismissive manner
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- superiorHigher in rank
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
arrogant · snobbish · pompous · smug · overbearing · imperious · high-handed · lofty · self-important · dismissive
demean
Lower in standing
trivialize · undermine · deprecate · devalue · denigrate · disparage · slight · dismiss · disrespect · infantilize
sneer
Scornful expression
ridicule · taunt · scoff · jeer · contempt · contemptuous · derisive · scornful · sneering · disdain
- lord it overboss around, bully, intimidate, dominate, oppress
- degradebelittle, demean, humiliate, degrade, debase
talk down toshow respect
Demonstrate esteem for another
look up to · honor · esteem · elevate · talk up