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
• domineering
• supercilious
• dominating
• uppity
• haughty
• high-and-mighty
• smug
• presuming
• bumptious
• assumptive
• pretentious
• imperious
• pompous
• uppish
• lordly
• sniffy
• high-handed
• proud
• chesty
• huffish
• authoritarian
• toplofty
• high-hat
• huffy
• peremptory
• overweening
• presumptuous
• lofty
• patronizing
• self-assertive
• magisterial
• highfalutin
• self-asserting
• condescending
• stiff-necked
• pontifical
• bossy
• snobbish
• impudent
• snooty
• disdainful
• snobby
• bombastic
• saucy
• boastful
• cocky
• vain
• egocentric
• narcissistic
• vainglorious
• swaggering
• uninhibited
• hubristic
• complacent
• egotistic
• impertinent
• conceited
• pontificating
• bragging
• egoistic
• self-complacent
• blustery
• self-affected
• prideful
• unreserved
• 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
• smug
• cavalier
• disdainful
• haughty
• domineering
• selfish
• lordly
• confident
• prideful
• dominating
• lofty
• important
• highfalutin
• snobbish
• uppity
• supercilious
• vainglorious
• complacent
• egotistic
• overbearing
• patronizing
• condescending
• conceited
• vain
• pretentious
• egoistic
• masterful
• overconfident
• swaggering
• bombastic
• cocky
• pompous
• self-contented
• impudent
• 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
• forward
• audacious
• bold
• impertinent
• sure
• self-glorifying
• self-confident
• self-assured
• 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
• marvelous
• quality
• fine
• classic
• hot
• heavenly
• superlative
• famous
• divine
• first-class
• exceptional
• unsurpassed
• first-rate
• splendid
• top-notch
• neat
• high-class
• cool
• sensational
• good
• top
• top-shelf
• slick
• immense
• noble
• choice
• par excellence
• brave
• better
• cracking
• too much
• grand
• sterling
• frontline
• first-string
• topflight
• supernal
• top-of-the-line
• decent
• topping
• out of this world
• dynamite
• keen
• prize
• capital
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• crackerjack
• dandy
• banner
• radical
• righteous
• mean
• boss
• satisfactory
• peachy
• adequate
• primo
• swell
• nifty
• fab
• dope
• groovy
• out-of-sight
• A1
• bully
• number one
• tip-top
• bumper
• special
• acceptable
• gone
• wizard
• fantabulous
• five-star
• bang-up
• corking
• traditional
• peachy keen
• four-star
• prizewinning
• hype
• brag
• down
• gangbusters
• boffo
• A-OK
• premium
• classical
• tolerable
• gilt-edged
• 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

And by exceeding expectations so spectacularly on nomination morning, Widow’s Bay seized the thrust in the comedy category despite Hacks’s superior nomination count (24 nominations, besting its previous high of 17 nominations in 2022). — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026

Its passport-style design and larger outer screen deliver a far superior multitasking experience. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 25 July 2026

Noun

Jozef, still a seminarian who had entered the congregation and taken the name Damien only three years earlier, bypassed his immediate superiors and petitioned the higher orders in Paris to be allowed to take his place. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

The investigation, according to the archives, cited several factors as contributing to the tragedy, including Holland’s disregard of procedures, the failure of superiors to take previous action and the inadequate preparation of crew members aboard the doomed plane. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 June 2026