superlative 1 of 2

adjective

su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv How to pronounce superlative (audio)
Definition of superlativenext
as in excellent
of the very best kind the New England town meeting is a superlative example of grassroots democracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

superlative

2 of 2

noun

as in exaggeration

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Dissimilar Words

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 superlative
Adjective
Seafood and cocktails with lavender, thyme, and other local herbs seduce guests in the superlative beach club on A-lister Plage de Pampelonne. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 His superlative shot-stopping ability, commanding distribution and defining game-winning moments this season contributed substantially to the Gunners ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy – this after so many recent near misses. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Noun
Imagine what superlatives will be needed if Les Parisiens manage to win this title a third time in a row next season. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026 More state superlatives Munster senior outfielder Nate Southwell is leading the state with 45 RBIs. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for superlative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superlative
  1. excellent
  2. exaggeration
  3. superb
  4. hyperbole
  5. wonderful
  6. magnification
  7. terrific
  8. elaboration
Adjective
  • While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Guests can borrow, for no charge, one of four Mate e-bikes for spins around the park or beyond, say to Tanimachi nearby for local neighborhood vibes, including charming izakayas, gyoza shops, and excellent, one-woman restaurants such as Tachiaoi.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of excellent
Noun
  • That may sound like an exaggeration, but higher education will almost certainly have to become more remedial.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • That may be a TV exaggeration, but tornadoes and other dangerous storms do hit the city regularly.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of exaggeration
Adjective
  • As other reviewers have also noted, sound quality is superb on the GA lawn, which was full to bursting with blankets and rentable lawn chairs.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
  • Curtain Bluff, Antigua Come for the pair of beaches, exceptional clifftop spa, and superb cuisine.
    — Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of superb
Noun
  • A lot of that discourse, including what will be depicted as news in media stories about the negotiations, is noise and hyperbole.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026
  • Trump is known for his hyperbole, but even those who disagree with the decision on the president's ability to fire commissioners say this is a huge concentration of power in the hands of the president.
    — Tamara Keith, NPR, 1 July 2026
Definition of hyperbole
Adjective
  • The resort provides a hiking guide—Nafea Abdeljalil was wonderful—and of course transport.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • Izzy, a vulnerable, dry-humored lesbian, played with a hummingbird intensity by the wonderful Molly Bernard, marvels that the experience is hard to describe to anyone who hasn’t been through it, like sharing a dream.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
Definition of wonderful
Noun
  • The 50mm object lenses admit plenty of light and the 18x magnification brings the cosmos closer than some telescopes.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 15 June 2026
  • To build the dataset, Cheng used a DSLR camera paired with a high-magnification zoom lens to photograph mosquitoes and generate training data for the computer vision model.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Definition of magnification
Adjective
  • Hargrave then had three terrific seasons in Philadelphia, where Jonathan Gannon — the Packers’ defensive coordinator — was the Eagles’ coordinator for two years.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Kuechly, Rivera and Newton teamed up on the terrific Panthers teams of the 2010s.
    — Scott Fowler July 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Definition of terrific
Noun
  • Co-owner Gary Worden confirmed the report without much elaboration.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Lodged among these fiery complaints, the declaration’s single grievance about taxation — unadorned by elaboration or explanation — seems almost tepid.
    — Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of elaboration

Browse Nearby Words

superjets
superlative
superlatively
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Cite this Entry

“Superlative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superlative. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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