1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in dominance
the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance
the superiority of the nation in military might
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of superiority
Those who suffer shame as children often cover it up with a false superiority.
—
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
The physical superiority of lions over humans has been demonstrated throughout human history—the Romans even exploited it for entertainment.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
One thing leads to another and soon Isabel is indulging Pat’s sense of cultural superiority by showing him her spots.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Despite the contradiction, this strategy worked because elites are universally perceived as out of touch with the real world – with privileged and sheltered life experience that begets a sense of superiority.
—Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for superiority
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
The physical superiority of lions over humans has been demonstrated throughout human history—the Romans even exploited it for entertainment.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
One thing leads to another and soon Isabel is indulging Pat’s sense of cultural superiority by showing him her spots.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Despite the contradiction, this strategy worked because elites are universally perceived as out of touch with the real world – with privileged and sheltered life experience that begets a sense of superiority.
—Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for superiority
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superiority
Noun
-
Too few compliments make kids feel slighted, while too many can inspire arrogance.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Bishops have not allowed a goal during the entire tournament, with Shea’s excellence being a key reason why.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Trump, when pressed, dodges the issue of war aims by pointing to the excellence of the military.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Three years later, LAFC’s first round CONCACAF dominance (7-1 aggregate versus Honduran team Real España) brings the two sides together again.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Unfortunately for the Dolphins franchise, Tagovailoa’s aura never morphed into dominance, especially in games against upper echelon competition.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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
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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
Noun
-
Just this month, England’s Northern Ballet premiered Gentleman Jack, which has the extremely rare distinction of being full-length ballet with a lesbian protagonist.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That distinction belongs to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
State efforts to restrict federal enforcement at polls face potential legal challenges due to the supremacy clause, which makes federal law paramount.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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The expansion underscores Google's confidence in the Gemini 3 model that the Mountain View, California, company released late last year as part of an intensifying battle for AI supremacy with up-and-coming rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And Willard’s overt emphasis on velocity led to serious gains in Boston, with the Red Sox burnishing their reputation for pitching development during his two years there.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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These cases have left people trying to recover their reputations and, with them, a sense of reality.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superiority.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superiority. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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