patronising
patronising — adjective
1. showing that you think someone is less intelligent, less capable, or less import
showing that you think someone is less intelligent, less capable, or less important than you — for example, by explaining simple things too slowly, using a tone of voice you would use with a child, or giving praise that sounds fake.
Nikhil found his manager's explanation rather patronising, as if he had never used a computer before.
find + something + patronising (opinion structure)
The article had a patronising tone that suggested young people cannot understand complex issues.
patronising tone (typical collocation)
Isabela gave a patronising smile and said, "Good for you, dear," as if I were a child.
Christopher refused to speak to his neighbours in that patronising way again after they complained.
It feels patronising when a shop assistant explains every single step of a simple transaction.
- condescending
the closest synonym; slightly more formal, both describe looking down on someone
- superior
focuses on the attitude of feeling above others but may not involve the dismissive treatment
- dismissive
emphasises rejecting or ignoring someone's views rather than talking down to them
- snobbish
focuses on social class or taste rather than intelligence
- respectful
showing genuine regard for someone's abilities and feelings
- humble
not showing a sense of superiority; modest about one's own importance
文法句型
be patronising to someone
patronising + noun (tone/attitude/manner/smile/way)
find something patronising
it is patronising to do something
用法筆記
Commonly describes a tone of voice, facial expression (smile, look), or attitude. Also frequent in the structure 'it is patronising to + infinitive'. The adjective always carries a disapproving meaning; note that the verb 'patronise' has a second, neutral meaning ('to be a customer of a business'), but the adjective 'patronising' never does.