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
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Recent Examples of superiors
All three had been asked by their superiors to replace the plates on their cars but refused, McNicholas said.
—
Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Polymeropoulos described a case involving a serviceman who was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and recommended for the Purple Heart by his superiors.
—Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The man asks for a cigar and the jail superintendent doesn’t need to ask for his superiors’ permission.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Around this time, a young Israeli national-security official reached the same conclusion and began urging his superiors to organize an internal coup against Assad.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
But when Commissioner Marty Makary presented that list for sign-off to the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the FDA, and to the White House in October, his superiors shot it down, the people said.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
In 2018, Ruis was brought up on department charges for not informing his superiors about changes to an order of protection filed against him by his estranged wife at the time.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
When should troops disobey their superiors?
—TheWeek, 23 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
Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Polymeropoulos described a case involving a serviceman who was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and recommended for the Purple Heart by his superiors.
—Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The man asks for a cigar and the jail superintendent doesn’t need to ask for his superiors’ permission.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Around this time, a young Israeli national-security official reached the same conclusion and began urging his superiors to organize an internal coup against Assad.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
But when Commissioner Marty Makary presented that list for sign-off to the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the FDA, and to the White House in October, his superiors shot it down, the people said.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
In 2018, Ruis was brought up on department charges for not informing his superiors about changes to an order of protection filed against him by his estranged wife at the time.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
When should troops disobey their superiors?
—TheWeek, 23 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superiors
Noun
-
One fateful day when the newsroom was short-staffed, bosses asked the green college student to step in.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
They were frustrated when the bosses announced Guthrie would be coming back, but at an unknown date.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lilian suspected that the Hazels of the world would often be reminded by their elders to be grateful and happy, as though gratitude would guarantee happiness, or else a happy façade would take the sting off that onerous task of feeling grateful.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Born in India, Khot came to the United States 30 years ago with his parents, who emphasized education and respect for elders.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trade negotiators from both sides are reportedly slated to meet in mid-March to lay the groundwork for the leaders’ summit.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Tottenham are drifting, and need to find leaders somewhere, or their season will end in the ignominy of a first relegation in 49 years.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is a recurring trope in mythology, that dogs and horses recognize their masters when people do not.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Now the actors, who work as game masters and perform as distressed abductees at the venue, will be frightening their guests while under union protection.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superiors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superiors. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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