What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
classist
Example
She made a classist comment about people from lower-income backgrounds. [classist: adjective]
Example
The government's policies are often criticized for being classist and favoring the wealthy. [classist: adjective]
condescending
Example
He had a condescending tone when explaining the concept to his classmates. [condescending: adjective]
Example
She always speaks in a condescending manner, as if she knows better than everyone else. [condescending: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Condescending is more commonly used than classist in everyday language. Condescending is a term that is widely recognized and understood, while classist is more specific and less frequently used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between classist and condescending?
Both classist and condescending can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, classist may be perceived as more formal due to its specific focus on social class discrimination, while condescending is a more versatile term that can be used in various formality levels.
