superior

1 of 2

adjective

su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər How to pronounce superior (audio)
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: such 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
superiorly adverb

superior

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of superior in a Sentence

Adjective This new model offers superior performance. The small army was overwhelmed by superior numbers. He only helps us because it makes him feel superior. Report to your superior officer. The verdict was reversed by a superior court. Noun His superior gave him an excellent evaluation. You should report any problems to your immediate superior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
There may be uncomfortable moments for Biden if the Trump case goes to trial, with the Justice Department all but claiming that Trump’s mental faculties are superior to Biden’s. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 The all-in-one smart TV features an IQ Processor that powers and enhances picture performance, a Full Array LED Backlight that distributes LEDs evenly for light uniformity and superior picture and Active Pixel Tuning that automatically adapts picture for richer contrasts and color accuracy. Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 With high-cut legs, superior compression, and a racer back, this shimmery suit is built for performance. Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 Pervasive bias against HEVs is unfortunate, as efficient HEVs are environmentally superior to inefficient PHEVs and are making an important contribution to the mitigation of climate change. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 This manicure lasted a week before any signs of wear, proving superior to traditional manicures that often chip within days. Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 Various academic studies have found that activist investors, on average, don’t generate superior returns over time. Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Helix’s Anthony Gash was equally impressive in the throws, winning the shot at 56-1 and the discus at 164-8, superior to his yearly efforts of 53-7 and 155-10. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Over the years, though, as rye whiskey had a renaissance and it became generally accepted that rye makes a superior Manhattan, the Black Manhattan evolved as well. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
This is particularly important today when more and more people and teams fall victim to mistakes due to over-eagerness—on their part or the part of their superiors or their clients—to accept a plan. Dominik Szot, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Surely someone must know of her son’s criminal record and tragic fate, and yet, her superiors keep making excuses for her behavior. Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 Prabowo has denied any wrongdoing, saying his missions were sanctioned by superiors. Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2024 Managers unable to convincingly answer that question to their superiors could see their headcount reduced. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 Now Cardinal Paglia is Father Benanti’s superior at the church’s Pontifical Academy For Life, which is charged with grappling with how to promote the church’s ethic on life amid bioethical and technological upheavals. Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 In the months before Phoenix’s death, a social worker warned his superiors that the baby could die if left left in the care of her parents, but those warnings went unheeded. Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024 According to the indictment, Kry and his superior also found a way to profit from the country’s wild monkeys—funneling them into the biomedical supply chain. Erika Fry, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2024 In that scene, the Brit’s critique of American military leaders provides a pretext for the Americans to rise to their superiors’ defense and school the English in the street. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superior.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of superior was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near superior

Cite this Entry

“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superior. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

superior

1 of 2 adjective
su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər How to pronounce superior (audio)
1
: situated higher up : upper
2
: of higher rank, quality, or importance
3
: courageously or calmly indifferent (as to something painful)
4
a
: greater in quantity or numbers
escaped by superior speed
b
: excellent of its kind : better
a superior memory
5
: covering or including more things
a genus is superior to a species
6
: feeling that one is better or more important than others
superiorly adverb

superior

2 of 2 noun
1
: one who is above another in rank, station, or office
especially : the head of a religious house or order
2
: one that goes beyond another in quality or merit

Medical Definition

superior

adjective
su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər How to pronounce superior (audio)
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 scapulaJ. M. Lewis
compare inferior sense 1
2
: situated in a more anterior or dorsal position in the body of a quadruped compare inferior sense 2

Legal Definition

superior

adjective
su·​pe·​ri·​or
: of higher status, rank, or priority

Geographical Definition

Superior

geographical name

Su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər How to pronounce Superior (audio)
city and port on Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin population 27,244

More from Merriam-Webster on superior

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