Synonyms of superior

superior 1 of 2

adjective

su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 

1

as in arrogant

having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude

that superior sportscaster lets it be known that he thinks all foreign baseball teams are second-rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• dominant
• important
• cavalier
• masterful
• supercilious
• uppity
• haughty
• high-and-mighty
• bumptious
• assumptive
• pretentious
• pompous
• uppish
• presuming
• domineering
• imperious
• dominating
• lordly
• sniffy
• high-handed
• proud
• chesty
• huffish
• smug
• toplofty
• high-hat
• huffy
• peremptory
• overweening
• presumptuous
• lofty
• authoritarian
• self-assertive
• magisterial
• patronizing
• highfalutin
• self-asserting
• condescending
• stiff-necked
• pontifical
• bossy
• snobbish
• impudent
• snooty
• disdainful
• snobby
• bombastic
• saucy
• cocky
• boastful
• egocentric
• narcissistic
• vainglorious
• swaggering
• vain
• uninhibited
• hubristic
• complacent
• egotistic
• impertinent
• conceited
• pontificating
• bragging
• egoistic
• self-complacent
• blustery
• self-affected
• unreserved
• prideful
• self-pleased
• blusterous
• extroverted
• stuck-up
• orgulous
• self-satisfied
• self-flattering
• self-centered
• brash
• braggy
• braggart
• immodest
• self-conceited
• self-applauding
• forward
• self-loving
• self-promoting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• unpretentious
• shrinking
• subdued
• timid
• passive
• sheepish
• bashful
• yielding
• compliant
• diffident
• shy
• deferential
• mousy
• unarrogant
• demure
• introverted
• unobtrusive
• meek
• acquiescent
• unaggressive
• submissive
• unassuming
• quiet
• unassertive
• overmodest
• reserved
• cowering
• cringing
• self-critical
• retiring
• self-doubting

2

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself

the superior attitude of the store owner's son drove the other employees crazy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proud
• arrogant
• cavalier
• disdainful
• haughty
• smug
• lordly
• prideful
• selfish
• lofty
• domineering
• dominating
• confident
• important
• highfalutin
• snobbish
• uppity
• supercilious
• vainglorious
• complacent
• egotistic
• overbearing
• condescending
• conceited
• patronizing
• pretentious
• vain
• egoistic
• overconfident
• swaggering
• bombastic
• cocky
• pompous
• self-contented
• impudent
• masterful
• high-sounding
• peremptory
• overweening
• self-satisfied
• boastful
• stuck-up
• self-important
• self-assertive
• magisterial
• brassy
• self-conceited
• bloated
• saucy
• sniffy
• egocentric
• cocksure
• cheeky
• bossy
• presumptuous
• imperious
• brash
• audacious
• impertinent
• forward
• self-glorifying
• self-confident
• self-assured
• sure
• bold
• presuming
• high-handed
• self-centered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• homely
• meek
• unpretentious
• unassuming
• timid
• unpretending
• demure
• bashful
• shy
• retiring
• yielding
• compliant
• deferential
• diffident
• passive
• acquiescent
• submissive
• ingratiating
• shrinking
• apologetic
• quiet
• unassertive
• resigned
• subdued
• unobtrusive
• reserved
• self-doubting
• cowering
• cringing

3

as in excellent

of the very best kind

a five-star restaurant known for its superior wine list

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellent
• superb
• great
• terrific
• wonderful
• awesome
• beautiful
• fantastic
• stellar
• lovely
• fabulous
• prime
• quality
• marvelous
• fine
• classic
• hot
• superlative
• heavenly
• famous
• first-class
• divine
• exceptional
• unsurpassed
• first-rate
• splendid
• top-notch
• high-class
• neat
• good
• sensational
• top
• top-shelf
• cool
• slick
• immense
• noble
• choice
• par excellence
• brave
• better
• cracking
• too much
• sterling
• frontline
• grand
• first-string
• topflight
• supernal
• top-of-the-line
• out of this world
• topping
• decent
• dynamite
• prize
• capital
• keen
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• crackerjack
• dandy
• banner
• radical
• righteous
• boss
• mean
• peachy
• satisfactory
• primo
• adequate
• swell
• nifty
• fab
• dope
• groovy
• out-of-sight
• A1
• bully
• number one
• tip-top
• bumper
• acceptable
• gone
• special
• wizard
• fantabulous
• five-star
• bang-up
• corking
• peachy keen
• four-star
• traditional
• prizewinning
• hype
• brag
• down
• gangbusters
• boffo
• A-OK
• premium
• tolerable
• gilt-edged
• classical
• phat
• numero uno
• high-grade
• passable
• jim-dandy
• all right
• bonny
• standard
• fancy
• OK
• select
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• awful
• inferior
• pathetic
• lousy
• vile
• wretched
• atrocious
• rotten
• unsatisfactory
• bad
• substandard
• low-grade
• execrable
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

4

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement

a university known for attracting superior scientists and mathematicians

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outstanding
• distinguished
• prestigious
• illustrious
• famous
• notable
• noteworthy
• eminent
• noble
• luminous
• renowned
• signal
• bright
• honored
• star
• celebrated
• glorious
• preeminent
• redoubtable
• infamous
• dominant
• famed
• reputable
• exalted
• astral
• notorious
• predominant
• paramount

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• unimportant
• insignificant
• average
• inferior
• mediocre
• obscure
• unsung
• uncelebrated

superior

2 of 2

noun

as in boss

one who is above another in rank, station, or office

if a customer is rude to you, report it to your superior and she'll handle it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boss
• leader
• master
• elder
• better
• senior
• chief
• head

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subordinate
• inferior
• assistant
• deputy
• underling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of superior

Adjective

Any successful film executive’s job comes down to superior talent relations and responsible budgeting. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

In all seriousness, there’s a very cool opportunity right now to watch the entire Godfather trilogy on Prime Video, including the superior recent cut of the third film. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

His case was covered up for three decades by his Jesuit superiors, and even Francis was suspected of having protected his fellow Jesuit. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

The Oversight Democrats’ summary published on Monday says officers at the facility were told by superiors there would be consequences for speaking up. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026