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

Related Words

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
But don’t discount Talisker 1992 Rare Series for its lack of superlative age statement. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 For a truly superlative deal, don’t miss out on the Old Navy Linen-blend Super-wide Pants, now just $30, which make for perfect travel-day pants thanks to their smooth elastic waistband and handy pockets. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Noun
As for the top cities, tried-and-true reign supreme with phenomenal attractions, superlative hotels, and electric dining scenes. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 Lackluster performances from the Italian players and a superlative showing from the Balkan team, who seemed to thrive under pressure, led to Slovakia securing a two-goal lead courtesy of a double from Róbert Vittek. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 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
  • There’s an excellent Anantara Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center onsite, but the highlight of the property is its 60-foot-long oceanfront infinity pool, which overlooks the entire expanse of Stone Town beach.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mikey Madison is excellent as a whistleblower driven by love, not spite.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent
Noun
  • Hours at a time isn’t an exaggeration, especially since the 14S lasted a jaw-dropping 38 hours and 29 minutes in our video testing, which is the kind of endurance coffee shop dwellers can only dream about.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
  • While that’s an exaggeration by Cole’s lofty standards, one thing is certain with the playoffs nearing.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of exaggeration
Adjective
  • The answer is both, with Wildwood representing a staggering achievement from the company that has given us such superb efforts as Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Granted, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are superb smartphones, and safe choices if you're used to the status quo.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of superb
Noun
  • There was a tinge of hometown bias to the honorific, but not enough to call it hyperbole.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Experts and European leaders said that’s not hyperbole but something that’s either already a grim reality or perilously close.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hyperbole
Adjective
  • There is a wonderful museum in the park that interactively showcases the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley as well as this part of the region's ecological loss and path to recovery.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Howell and Sloyan are quite wonderful in these moments, and Howell is exceptional throughout.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Noun
  • Each offers Braille support, screen magnification, sticky and slow key entry, text narration, and voice input.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Others see the magnification of extinction worries as a purposeful distraction from immediate, real-world AI harms.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of magnification
Adjective
  • The movie looks terrific, with DP Jeff Cronenweth returning to provide visual consistency with The Social Network and Alexandre Desplat’s elegant score feeding the tension without working too hard at it.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrific
Noun
  • They mystery deepened when co-host Craig Melvin acknowledged Roker’s absence with little elaboration.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In ‘Air Ride’, the narrator’s—and apparent interlocutor’s—consistent silence emphasises the erratic nature of Sepp’s elaborations on beauty, music, frocks and landscape.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 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 Oct. 2026.

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