superior

¹su·pe·ri·or

adjective \su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər\

Definition of SUPERIOR

1

: situated higher up : upper

2

: of higher rank, quality, or importance

3

: courageously or serenely indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)

4

a : greater in quantity or numbers <escaped by superior speed>

b : excellent of its kind : better <her superior memory>

5

: being a superscript

6

a of an animal structure : situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part <a superior artery>

b of a plant structure : situated above or near the top of another part: as (1) of a calyx : attached to and apparently arising from the ovary (2) of an ovary : free from the calyx or other floral envelope

7

: more comprehensive <a genus is superior to a species>

8

: affecting or assuming an air of superiority : supercilious

— su·pe·ri·or·ly adverb

Examples of SUPERIOR

1. This new model offers superior performance.
2. The small army was overwhelmed by superior numbers.
3. He only helps us because it makes him feel superior.
4. Report to your superior officer.
5. The verdict was reversed by a superior court.

Origin of SUPERIOR

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin, comparative of superus upper, from super over, above — more at over

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUPERIOR

Synonyms

assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, sniffy, stiff-necked, supercilious, arrogant, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity

Antonyms

humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious

Related Words

authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating; condescending, disdainful, patronizing; impertinent, impudent, saucy; snobbish, snobby, snooty; blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious; complacent, conceited, egocentric, egoistic (also egoistical), egotistic (or egotistical), hubristic, narcissistic, orgulous, prideful, proud, self-affected, self-applauding, self-centered, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, stuck-up; self-flattering, self-loving, self-promoting; brash, forward, uninhibited, unreserved; extroverted (also extraverted), immodest

Near Antonyms

bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy (or mousey), overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid; acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding; quiet, reserved, retiring

Rhymes with SUPERIOR

anterior, exterior, inferior, interior, posterior, ulterior

²superior

noun

Definition of SUPERIOR

1

: one who is above another in rank, station, or office; especially : the head of a religious house or order

2

: one that surpasses another in quality or merit

3

: superscript

Examples of SUPERIOR

1. His superior gave him an excellent evaluation.
2. You should report any problems to your immediate superior.

First Known Use of SUPERIOR

15th century

Related to SUPERIOR

Synonyms

better, elder, senior

Antonyms

inferior, subordinate, underling

Related Words

boss, chief, head, leader, master

Near Antonyms

assistant, deputy

Su·pe·ri·or

geographical name \su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər\

Definition of SUPERIOR

city & port NW Wisconsin on Lake Superior pop 27,368

su·pe·ri·or

adjective \su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SUPERIOR

1

: situated toward the head and further away from the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being <the superior medial edge of the patient's right scapula—J. M. Lewis>—compare inferior 1

2

: situated in a more anterior or dorsal position in the body of a quadruped—compare inferior 2