superior 1 of 2

Definition of superiornext
1
2
3
4

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

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
Ice Cube, who plays their superior officer Captain Dickson, is also expected to reprise his role for the sequel. Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026 Laurie will play Control, the fiendish and commanding head of The Circus, Smiley’s morally fickle superior, known only by his code name. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
Noun
Investigations, reviews and outside probes In the midst of the overpayment debate, the unemployment insurance division devolved into a series of investigations, reviews of those investigations and spiraling distrust between staff and superiors, labor department documents obtained by The Post show. Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026 Where Krick is busy grandstanding, the darling of his men and superiors, the ever unpopular Stagg urges caution. Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for superior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superior
Adjective
  • Washington State’s beauty is almost arrogant in its expansiveness.
    C Pam Zhang, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
  • The question, then, is why so many people would still say that England fans have this arrogant expectation about the quality of their own team?
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Citadel is proud not to have a touchy-feely atmosphere.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • South America has a proud soccer tradition, and is the only continent other than Europe to produce World Cup champions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Watts got another excellent chance in the waning seconds, but the Patriots defense forced the shot to go wide.
    Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026
  • Today, Montage Laguna Beach remains one of Southern California’s definitive seaside resorts, known for its stunning views, excellent service, and loyal repeat guests.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • The near-perfect conditions affected each vineyard parcel and variety differently, but the result is outstanding across the board.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 14 June 2026
  • Your Carolyn Bessette is outstanding.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • The day shift also starts making factory-work jokes, with Rekha playing a perky do-bee who just wants to make the boss happy, and Lily adopting an agitator role, demanding workman’s comp and trying to spark revolt.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
  • In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales).
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • When the Phoenix Mercury started chipping away at the Valkyries’ 18-point lead, threatening to turn a dominant night into a late-game nightmare, Golden State had a simple answer.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
  • Jalen Brunson was his typical dominant self.
    David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
  • But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • In a just world, his superb turn in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners would change that.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Pepper and his childhood friend Stanley Snadowsky created their landmark 400-seat club with superb bookings, great sound, decent sightlines, and notoriously unpretentious food.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 6 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superior. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on superior

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster