Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective superb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of superb are glorious, gorgeous, resplendent, splendid, and sublime. While all these words mean "extraordinarily or transcendently impressive," superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

When is it sensible to use glorious instead of superb?

While in some cases nearly identical to superb, glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

When might gorgeous be a better fit than superb?

The words gorgeous and superb can be used in similar contexts, but gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

When would resplendent be a good substitute for superb?

In some situations, the words resplendent and superb are roughly equivalent. However, resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

When is splendid a more appropriate choice than superb?

While the synonyms splendid and superb are close in meaning, splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

When can sublime be used instead of superb?

The synonyms sublime and superb are sometimes interchangeable, but sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of superb Former Southampton boss Martin has endured a stuttering start in Glasgow since being appointed this summer, the positivity of a superb 3-0 first-leg win over Viktoria Plzen in the previous round undermined by a lucky escape in the reverse fixture. Jack Bantock, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 Jai and Veeru’s friendship is a superb emotional core that holds everything around it in perfect orbit. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025 The Amy Berg doc about the influential singer-songwriter who died in 1997 at age 30 after one studio recording, Grace, had a superb opening of $400k at 125 theaters last weekend. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025 Scrupulous and enterprising reporting rarely combine with such superb storytelling. Book Marks august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for superb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superb
Adjective
  • There’s trendy hot pot and face-numbing Sichuan spots, as well as relative newcomers like the excellent Thai spot Zaab Zaab.
    Cathy Erway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Just north of Venice, the Veneto region is also known for excellent wines.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The outpouring from the community has been wonderful, and everyone has been willing to help, though there isn’t much anyone can do at the moment, according to Guzauskas.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Jalen Coker, a second-year receiver who’s had a wonderful camp, will play Thursday.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • While much of that is thanks to an explosive offense that features Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens also have some terrific players on the defensive side of the ball, which should not come as much of a surprise given their history.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Burrow and the rest of the offense have been fantastic in recent seasons, but much has been left to be desired on the defensive side of the ball.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
  • How Combat Works in Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Combat in the Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake is pretty fantastic.
    David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Being able to create ourselves has felt like the greatest, the final privilege.
    Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
  • This tank would be great for exercise classes, hiking, and other sweaty activities.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The film’s docufiction-like honesty is the most conspicuous here: to imagine that the Mother Teresa whom the world knows mostly as a faultless octogenarian might have as a younger woman had similar intense moments of extreme conflicting emotions is humanizing, and lovely.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
  • These gorgeous plants don’t mind the heat and humidity, and their lovely, papery blooms last for weeks and weeks throughout the summer.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This makes for an awesome matchup against Boston’s better starters (Lucas Giolito is 8-2, Brayan Bello has a 3.25 ERA) and its radiant ace (Garrett Crochet is a few scoreless frames from an AL Triple Crown hold).
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
  • But for all their awesome grandeur, these proposals offer no new ideas — and often no details at all — about city governance.
    Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Me and some of our fabulous queens from Down Under joining me?
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025
  • And, of course, the Famous Opportunity Drawing for fabulous gift baskets will conclude the morning of fun, according to a news release.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Superb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superb. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

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