superiority

noun

su·​pe·​ri·​or·​i·​ty su̇-ˌpir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē 

ˌsü-,

-ˈär-

plural superiorities

: the quality or state of being superior

also : a superior characteristic

Synonyms

• arrogance
• assumption
• bumptiousness
• consequence
• haughtiness
• hauteur
• high horse
• huffiness
• imperiousness
• loftiness
• lordliness
• masterfulness
• peremptoriness
• pomposity
• pompousness
• presumptuousness
• pretense
• pretence
• pretension
• pretentiousness
• self-consequence
• self-importance
• superciliousness
• toploftiness

Examples of superiority in a Sentence

His success has given him a false sense of superiority.

the superiority of some of the customers at the exclusive beauty salon is enough to curl your hair

Recent Examples on the Web

That sense of superiority, while warranted, has been a problem for Tomás and his family in the past. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025

Armstrong even noted bitcoin’s superiority over gold regarding divisibility and portability. —Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Brighton win the second ball and have the numerical superiority to control possession as Dalot jogs back to his position. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Both approaches are forms of hegemonic reassertion—attempts to cement U.S. primacy on the world stage—but one cloaks itself in moral superiority, and the other does not. —Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing superiority

• air of superiority
• air superiority
• superiority complex

Kids Definition

superiority

noun

su·​pe·​ri·​or·​i·​ty su̇-ˌpir-ē-ˈȯr-ət-ē 

-ˈär-

plural superiorities

: the state or fact of being superior