SUPERIOR Synonyms: 332 Similar and Opposite Words

superior 1 of 2

adjective

su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər

Definition of superior

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excellent

of the very best kind a five-star restaurant known for its superior wine list

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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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 superior

Adjective

Chinese chip designers like Huawei are combining clusters of chips to create the computing power of superior tech. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 With superior special teams play and Allen's relentless effort, Buffalo held on to win another offensive shootout between these teams. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

In the film’s ostensible present, as the lengthy raid unfolds, a noble, unnamed police constable (Anurag Thakur) objects to his superiors’ methods and their persecution of Devi at large. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for superior

Recent Examples of Synonyms for superior

Adjective

Wright was known to be arrogant, and his self-importance is on full display here.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
Georg, an unemployed auto mechanic, comes across as an arrogant jock.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

The locker real estate in the team’s second arena was something the proud parent didn’t even consider as part of his son’s Heat takeover.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Musk’s forthright, crusty dad Errol sounds almost proud that something was bullied out of his son, but the movie avoids filling out that traumatic childhood.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

Williams aims to help build a county government that works for everyday people by lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
Nikko Remigio’s reputation as a return man isn’t splashy plays, but rather excellent ball security.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

The award, which was established by the city of Naperville in 1993, recognizes Naperville-area students for outstanding community service.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
There is no court date scheduled for Wang appearing because there is still an outstanding warrant, a circuit court spokesperson said.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Noun

Banijay bosses Jeff Zucker, Marco Bassetti and Jane Turton were in Cannes along with David Decker, the executive handed the Skydance content sales keys by David Ellison.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Durham was later apprehended and served time in prison for the crime, but not before selling the paintings to a notorious crime boss who was later found in possession of the art.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of boss

Adjective

What makes this emptiness more bothersome is the cavalier way Wingard wields the imagery of rogue, militarized killers wreaking havoc on the American landscape.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Perhaps most viscerally, given the ever-present specter of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War, Capps was appalled by Falwell’s apocalyptic rhetoric and cavalier posture toward global destruction.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cavalier

Adjective

Al Sharpton Al Sharpton is a minister, activist, and one of the nation’s most distinguished leaders in the fight against injustice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

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“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superior. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of superior

adjective

noun

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