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

It is not armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical strength. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Murphy’s goal share (23 percent) is unimaginably poor, but the GA-60 is superior to the others in the group not named Bouchard or Shea. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Noun

But after Dougan raised the concerns, the lawsuit says, his superiors took disciplinary action against him. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Throughout the film, Agent Miller refuses to abandon the investigation, even after being discouraged from following the case by her superiors who felt as though there wasn’t enough evidence pointing to Kaczynski. — Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026