superior 1 of 2

adjective

su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər How to pronounce superior (audio)
Definition of superiornext
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

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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

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3
as in excellent
of the very best kind a five-star restaurant known for its superior wine list

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4
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a university known for attracting superior scientists and mathematicians

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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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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
Moreover, the cheeses were also superior in taste, aroma, smell and texture for consumers. — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 That’s essentially the same setup as McDonagh’s In Bruges, complete with Steve Buscemi replacing Ralph Fiennes as the mercurial superior. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
High achievers seek out new opportunities, consistently deliver strong results and earn the trust of their superiors. — Kim Meninger, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 So Parker telephoned the base posing as the doctor of Adams’ supposedly ailing mother and talked the young soldier’s superiors into issuing an emergency furlough. — Dan Kelly july 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for superior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superior
  1. arrogant
  2. proud
  3. excellent
  4. outstanding
  5. boss
  6. cavalier
  7. superb
  8. distinguished
Adjective
  • Everybody on our side understands that impeachment is a critical tool in the toolbox for constitutional self-defense against a president acting like a king, an imperious, lawless, arrogant king.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Most obviously, front and center, and in endlessly intrusive close-up, there’s Pattinson — who also serves as producer — playing the arrogant, fame-addicted, megalomaniac Hansen.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Bob Howell, executive vice president and chief sales officer at Manhattan Associates, said Boscov’s has a proud history of knowing their customers and communities.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The proud mom posed alongside her kids in one cute snap showing each of her children holding a chalkboard sign with details of their first day.
    — Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Lampard felt his players deserved a point after creating several excellent chances.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Picturesque views of the surrounding Casco Bay are abundant, and its consistently excellent food scene has made the city a culinary hot spot for the ages.
    — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • The performances are first-rate across the board, with Bell and Jarvis outstanding as the lead conspirators.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The decades-old winery is now facing a foreclosure sale to cover a $37-million outstanding loan, according to the Press Democrat.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Noun
  • More than a decade ago, the two researchers were introduced by their mutual boss, the chancellor at UCSF, who encouraged them to collaborate.
    — Pien Huang, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, the movie portrays three working women who rebel against their sexist boss.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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
  • Typically, Mora will pick up the ball in the left channel and run at a defender, before slowing to a jog, then use his superb balance to burst past his flat-footed opponent on either side, like in this example against Fiorentina last month.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Cam Schlitter gave up one run and two hits in eight superb innings, and the New York Yankees scored five two-out runs in the 10th in a series-clinching, 6-3 victory over the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of superb
Adjective
  • Tom Tugendhat is a Conservative member of Parliament in Britain and a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute.
    — Tom Tugendhat, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The award joins a distinguished roster of BMAC honors celebrating some of the most influential figures and organizations in music and culture.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguished

Browse Nearby Words

superintends
superior
superiority
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Cite this Entry

“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superior. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on superior

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about superior

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