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
• domineering
• supercilious
• dominating
• uppity
• haughty
• high-and-mighty
• smug
• presuming
• bumptious
• assumptive
• pretentious
• imperious
• pompous
• uppish
• lordly
• sniffy
• high-handed
• proud
• chesty
• huffish
• authoritarian
• toplofty
• high-hat
• huffy
• peremptory
• overweening
• presumptuous
• lofty
• patronizing
• self-assertive
• magisterial
• highfalutin
• self-asserting
• condescending
• stiff-necked
• pontifical
• bossy
• snobbish
• impudent
• snooty
• disdainful
• snobby
• bombastic
• saucy
• boastful
• cocky
• vain
• egocentric
• narcissistic
• vainglorious
• swaggering
• uninhibited
• hubristic
• complacent
• egotistic
• impertinent
• conceited
• pontificating
• bragging
• egoistic
• self-complacent
• blustery
• self-affected
• prideful
• unreserved
• 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
• smug
• cavalier
• disdainful
• haughty
• domineering
• selfish
• lordly
• confident
• prideful
• dominating
• lofty
• important
• highfalutin
• snobbish
• uppity
• supercilious
• vainglorious
• complacent
• egotistic
• overbearing
• patronizing
• condescending
• conceited
• vain
• pretentious
• egoistic
• masterful
• overconfident
• swaggering
• bombastic
• cocky
• pompous
• self-contented
• impudent
• 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
• forward
• audacious
• bold
• impertinent
• sure
• self-glorifying
• self-confident
• self-assured
• 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
• marvelous
• quality
• fine
• classic
• hot
• heavenly
• superlative
• famous
• divine
• first-class
• exceptional
• unsurpassed
• first-rate
• splendid
• top-notch
• neat
• high-class
• cool
• sensational
• good
• top
• top-shelf
• slick
• immense
• noble
• choice
• par excellence
• brave
• better
• cracking
• too much
• grand
• sterling
• frontline
• first-string
• topflight
• supernal
• top-of-the-line
• decent
• topping
• out of this world
• dynamite
• keen
• prize
• capital
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• crackerjack
• dandy
• banner
• radical
• righteous
• mean
• boss
• satisfactory
• peachy
• adequate
• primo
• swell
• nifty
• fab
• dope
• groovy
• out-of-sight
• A1
• bully
• number one
• tip-top
• bumper
• special
• acceptable
• gone
• wizard
• fantabulous
• five-star
• bang-up
• corking
• traditional
• peachy keen
• four-star
• prizewinning
• hype
• brag
• down
• gangbusters
• boffo
• A-OK
• premium
• classical
• tolerable
• gilt-edged
• 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

The lesser figures were happy to serve their natural superior. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026

Midway through the second half of the semi-final against Croatia, Messi found himself up against Josko Gvardiol, a man 15 years younger than him, six inches taller and, on the face of it, athletically as well as physically superior. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Noun

With the North Koreans and the Chinese military bearing down on Incheon in 1951, Casillas was ordered by his superiors to destroy all vital structures in Incheon to keep the infrastructure from falling into enemy hands. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026

Abts sent an email to his superiors, and a human resources supervisor, about Husband’s disturbing, uncharacteristic behavior. — Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026