as in bosses
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
Relevance
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 superiors
When should troops disobey their superiors?
—
TheWeek, 23 Jan. 2026
The most likely outcome of such a meeting is that I would have been called in to explain myself to my superiors.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Speaking of the Robby ethos, all three of our med students should be looking to our quiet king Whitaker for how to not just impress their superiors but, like, be a good doctor.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
The idea that women won’t attract Soviet suspicion because they’re overlooked and underestimated, as bureau chief Dane (Adrian Lester) argues to his superiors as a rationale for taking them on, is both simplistic and swiftly belied by the show’s subsequent events.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Adina is an alien who’s been sent to earth to observe humanity and report back to her superiors.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Mid-level officials, in turn, were no longer convinced that their superiors would protect them.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Since the operation that captured Maduro, numerous generals have effectively disappeared, failing to report to their units or communicate with superiors.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
His superiors have repeated the same errors that Ratcliffe described in March, in an interview with Gary Neville on Sky Sports, when discussing the departure of Ten Hag.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
TheWeek, 23 Jan. 2026
The most likely outcome of such a meeting is that I would have been called in to explain myself to my superiors.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Speaking of the Robby ethos, all three of our med students should be looking to our quiet king Whitaker for how to not just impress their superiors but, like, be a good doctor.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
The idea that women won’t attract Soviet suspicion because they’re overlooked and underestimated, as bureau chief Dane (Adrian Lester) argues to his superiors as a rationale for taking them on, is both simplistic and swiftly belied by the show’s subsequent events.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Adina is an alien who’s been sent to earth to observe humanity and report back to her superiors.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Mid-level officials, in turn, were no longer convinced that their superiors would protect them.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Since the operation that captured Maduro, numerous generals have effectively disappeared, failing to report to their units or communicate with superiors.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
His superiors have repeated the same errors that Ratcliffe described in March, in an interview with Gary Neville on Sky Sports, when discussing the departure of Ten Hag.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superiors
Noun
-
There is so much energy in Falk’s writing that the reader can feel tensions in the city as officials, some working secretly with the bosses, try to stop the cigar factory women from organizing, call them Communists and demean them for being Polish.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
-
This is a very special week to pitch ideas to bosses or powerful figures.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What Mager is showing here is the difference between kids and adults, the openness and willingness to be bold and confront things head on with matter-of-fact honesty in a world that is being screwed up by their elders and those in charge.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
No paintings of stoic elders in headdresses.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Over time, this hesitation creates cognitive overload, last-minute scrambling and fewer growth opportunities for other leaders.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Newcastle are now 12 points behind Birmingham City, the leaders, and matches are running out.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Dogs kept some of their hierarchical instincts, replacing alpha wolves with their human masters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
JPMorgan Goes Live on Ethereum Taylor re-recorded her albums to her own masters.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superiors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superiors. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
