SUPERIORITY Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

superiority

noun

su̇-ˌpir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē

Definition of superiority

as in arrogance

an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims the superiority of some of the customers at the exclusive beauty salon is enough to curl your hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excellence

exceptionally high quality the superiority of tree-ripened mangoes might make you want to spend the rest of your life in a tropical climate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dominance

the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance the superiority of the nation in military might

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 superiority Critics argued that the message of a White man elevated above both a Native American and an African symbolized racial superiority. — Lee Cowan, CBS News, 21 June 2026 According to Encyclopedia Britannica, patriotism generally refers to attachment and commitment to one's country and the common good, whereas nationalism is often associated with loyalty to a particular national identity and can include beliefs about superiority or exclusion. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 In a crew filled with people convinced of the superiority of their own methods, Cooper just wants to look at peacocks, call his grandma, and engage in some PG-13 flirting with fellow innocent oddball Kat. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 June 2026 Cheap drones and missiles costing tens of thousands of dollars have repeatedly forced defenders to launch interceptors worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars, proving that future conflicts may be determined as much by cost-exchange ratios as by technological superiority. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for superiority

Recent Examples of Synonyms for superiority

Noun

Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
In Episode 3, Harris discussed the early arrogance of the founding fathers who made proposals for America's independence and questioned who was entitled to freedom.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

The recognitions go beyond athletics, highlighting athletes for academic excellence and community impact.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
And ultimately, it is defined by our ability to bring that excellence to more people, in more communities, without asking them to travel farther from home.

— Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026

Definition of excellence

Noun

The move comes as many American apparel and footwear firms work to diversify away from China and the regional supply chain that both feeds upon the capabilities and supports the dominance of the sourcing superpower.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
Chinese leader Xi Jinping cast Beijing as the leader of a new AI global order, vowing to challenge US dominance of the sector through the release of open-source models.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of dominance

Noun

Education was considered an individual pursuit marked by moral excellency and only the students who did the best in school would have proceeded to higher education.

— Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
Zurich said the Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change and forward-thinking approaches in the business, but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has represented since its invention.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024

Definition of excellency

Noun

Some make a distinction between temporary discomfort – such as anxiety or difficult emotions during meditation – and lasting harm, such as worsening mental health symptoms.

— Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Pica and compulsive tendencies There’s an important distinction between chewing and pica in cats.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of distinction

Noun

Lately, though, she’s cultivated a reputation as a literary tastemaker.

— Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Atlanta solidified its reputation as the nation’s Black cultural capital, home to thriving historically Black colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, influential churches, artists, filmmakers, and political leaders.

— Jeffrey Bennett, Time, 17 July 2026