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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excellent
of the very best kind
a five-star restaurant known for its superior wine list
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4
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
a university known for attracting superior scientists and mathematicians
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of superior
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
Miami has shown its superior strength and talent along the offensive and defensive lines in the first two games of the playoffs.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After assisting his superiors with a case involving a convent, Billy has a breakthrough with Claudia in his final scene.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superior
Adjective
Oatmeal may be superior to grits in all three categories of managing blood sugar and increasing protein and fiber intake.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
Miami has shown its superior strength and talent along the offensive and defensive lines in the first two games of the playoffs.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Professionals in repression, whether fingernail pullers or computer hackers (sometimes one and the same), have the means to take down not just their rivals but also their superiors and even their country’s ruler.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
After assisting his superiors with a case involving a convent, Billy has a breakthrough with Claudia in his final scene.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superior
Adjective
-
A lot of people who are that level of arrogant, there’s also an immense insecurity, right?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The boy is arrogant, Helen thinks.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
South Florida sports history is proud to have been the host for Crump’s barrier-busting history.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Big Ten is marching into the heart of Southern football with a proud swagger, daring any conference to challenge its claim as the power to beat in the College Football Playoff.—
Charles Odum,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And for mornings, Butchertown Grocery Bakery anchors the day with excellent pastries, especially the flaky biscuits, and local coffee—no reinvention necessary.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Once again, marble and soapstone, cited above, are excellent alternatives that will stand the test of time despite constant wear and tear.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Directors Guild of America has named the nominees for its 2025 awards in the outstanding directorial achievement in television, commercials and documentary categories.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Hollywood Reporter snagged a nomination again for outstanding magazine overall coverage in a list that also includes The Advocate, Cosmo, Gaye Magazine, Out, People, Poz, Rolling Stone, Time and Variety.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This is because the Sun is lined up with Mercury at the very top of your chart, which enhances your ability to talk to (and impress) parents, bosses and authority figures.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Board bosses Arkansas shot to a quick 10-rebound lead at 12-2 in its opening blitz against Vanderbilt and finished with a 39-27 margin.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Organizations that delay action delay feedback, and over time, learning velocity, not initial strategy, becomes the dominant driver of performance.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
As his presence became more and more dominant, his work was treated less like music and more like a logo or a brand activation.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But that poem is no smug cliché.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Marcello is looking especially smug and evil in this scene for reasons unclear.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Dave Archer was there for the entirety of Matt Ryan’s Falcons career, serving as the superb analyst on team radio broadcasts and sharing countless conversations over the course of Ryan’s 14-year career in Atlanta.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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While imposing from the outside, their magnificent jewel-box innards are worth a browse—a superb, rather opulent retreat from the midday sun.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superior. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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