patronizing
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpeɪtɹəˌnaɪzɪŋ// pa·tron·iz·ing
v. behaving in a way that makes you seem more important or better than someone else. You use this to describe someone who treats a person with a fake kind of care or respect.
v. behaving in a condescending or superior manner toward others. Often describes a tone or attitude that implies a lack of genuine respect for the person's intelligence or status.
He gave a patronizing smile when I asked for help.
The manager's patronizing attitude made the new employees feel like they were not capable of making their own decisions.
The author's patronizing tone throughout the biography suggests a deep-seated disdain for the subject's humble origins, despite the narrative's claim to be a neutral historical account.