Difference Between Condescending & Patronizing

Key Difference – Condescending vs Patronizing

The two adjectives condescending and patronizing describe the attitudes of people who think that they are superior to others. These two adjectives are very similar in meaning and can be used interchangeably in most instances. Patronizing refers to treating someone with apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority. Condescending refers to displaying a superior attitude. This is the key difference between condescending and patronizing.

What Does Condescending Mean?

As mentioned above, condescending refers to the superior attitude of a person. When someone thinks that others are inferior to him or that he is superior to others and treat others according to this attitude, he is being condescending. Talking to a person in a way that shows that you believe you are more intelligent or better than him is an example of condescending attitude.
The meaning of condescending is always tied to patronizing. For example, look at the following definitions of condescending.
Displaying a patronizingly superior attitude (American Heritage Dictionary)
Having or showing an attitude of patronizing superiority (Oxford Dictionary)

What Does Patronizing Mean?

The adjective patronizing is very similar to condescending. Patronizing is defined in the American heritage dictionary as “To treat in a condescending manner, often in showing interest or kindness that is insincere”, and in the Oxford dictionary as “treat with an apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority”. Patronizing can be termed as a form of indirect condescension since it is done in the guise of being kind or helpful.
Patronize also has two other important meanings: to be the patron of something (to support or provide aid) or to be a regular client or customer. The Merriam-Webster dictionary usage notes claim that the negative meaning of patronize (to show a condescending attitude) “presumably developed from the idea of a wealthy and powerful patron who adopts a superior attitude towards his (or her) dependent”.

What is the difference between Condescending and Patronizing?

Definition:
Condescending: Condescending means displaying a patronizingly superior attitude.
Patronizing: Patronizing means treating someone with an apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority.

Directness:
Condescending: Condescension can typically be identified directly
Patronizing: It may be difficult to know when one is being patronizing since it can take the guise of helping or being kind.

Verb:
Condescending: Condescending is derived from the verb condescend.
Patronizing: Patronizing is derived from the verb patronize.

Key Takeaways

• Patronizing refers to treating someone with apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority, while condescending means displaying a superior attitude.
• Condescension can typically be identified directly, whereas it may be difficult to know when one is being patronizing since it can take the guise of helping or being kind.
• Condescending is derived from the verb condescend, while patronizing is derived from the verb patronize.