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Disdainful vs Condescending - What's the difference?

disdainful | condescending |

As adjectives the difference between disdainful and condescending

is that disdainful is showing contempt or scorn; having a pronounced lack of concern for others viewed as unworthy while condescending is assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude.

As a verb condescending is

present participle of lang=en.

disdainful

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Showing contempt or scorn; having a pronounced lack of concern for others viewed as unworthy.
  • He was disdainful of those he thought of as the little people. He openly sneered at them. They mocked him behind his back.
    She glimpsed at the people whom she had left behind, and smirked in the most disdainful manner towards them.

    Synonyms

    * despising, scornful, contemptuous

    Antonyms

    * respectful

    Derived terms

    * disdainfully

    condescending

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude.
  • Quit talking to me in that condescending tone! You always treat me like a child – ugh!

    Synonyms

    * (assuming a tone of superiority) (l)

    Derived terms

    * condescendingly

    Verb

    (head)