superior

¹su·pe·ri·or

adj \su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər\

Definition of SUPERIOR

1

: situated higher up : upper

2

: of higher rank, quality, or importance

3

: courageously or serenely indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)

4

a : greater in quantity or numbers <escaped by superior speed> b : excellent of its kind : better <her superior memory>

5

: being a superscript

6

a of an animal structure : situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part <a superior artery> b of a plant structure : situated above or near the top of another part: as (1) of a calyx : attached to and apparently arising from the ovary (2) of an ovary : free from the calyx or other floral envelope

7

: more comprehensive <a genus is superior to a species>

8

: affecting or assuming an air of superiority : supercilious

— su·pe·ri·or·ly adverb

Examples of SUPERIOR

1. This new model offers superior performance.
2. The small army was overwhelmed by superior numbers.
3. He only helps us because it makes him feel superior.
4. Report to your superior officer.
5. The verdict was reversed by a superior court.

Origin of SUPERIOR

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin, comparative of superus upper, from super over, above — more at over

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUPERIOR

Synonyms: assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, sniffy, stiff-necked, supercilious, arrogant, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity

Antonyms: humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious

Related Words: authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating; condescending, disdainful, patronizing; impertinent, impudent, saucy; snobbish, snobby, snooty; blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious; complacent, conceited, egocentric, egoistic (also egoistical), egotistic (or egotistical), hubristic, narcissistic, orgulous, prideful, proud, self-affected, self-applauding, self-centered, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, stuck-up; self-flattering, self-loving, self-promoting; brash, forward, uninhibited, unreserved; extroverted (also extraverted), immodest

Near Antonyms: bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy (or mousey), overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid; acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding; quiet, reserved, retiring

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with SUPERIOR

anterior, exterior, inferior, interior, posterior, ulterior