patronizing PAY-truh-nahy-zing adjective WS #30

treating someone in a way that seems friendly but shows that you think they are not very intelligent or important; condescending; displaying an attitude of superiority

1. The professor's patronizing tone made students feel stupid for asking legitimate questions.
2. His patronizing explanation assumed she had no prior knowledge of the subject matter.
3. The patronizing customer service representative spoke to her as if she were a child.
4. The manager's patronizing attitude toward younger employees created tension in the workplace.
5. Her patronizing smile and slow speech suggested she thought he couldn't understand complex concepts.