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

The fans got another memorable chapter in this NFC West rivalry as the 49ers blasted the preseason Super Bowl favorite Rams with superior play on both sides of the ball. — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

But, other than the fact that Kalieb Osborne is a superior athlete at the QB position and the team is well-equipped with playmakers, there wasn’t much to glean from a performance that lacked any sort of challenge. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

Brizé’s latest is about a woman swimming in the turbulent waters of middle management, trying to both appease her superiors and deal with problematic employees who can’t seem to get along. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Additionally, while there are government rules against federal employees accepting gifts from subordinates or officials who make less than themselves, subordinates are not barred from receiving gifts from superiors. — Kristin Brown, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026