Synonyms of superior

superior 1 of 2

adjective

su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 

1

as in arrogant

having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude

that superior sportscaster lets it be known that he thinks all foreign baseball teams are second-rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• dominant
• important
• cavalier
• masterful
• domineering
• dominating
• supercilious
• uppity
• haughty
• high-and-mighty
• smug
• presuming
• bumptious
• assumptive
• pretentious
• imperious
• pompous
• uppish
• lordly
• sniffy
• high-handed
• proud
• chesty
• authoritarian
• huffish
• toploftical
• toplofty
• high-hat
• huffy
• peremptory
• overweening
• presumptuous
• hifalutin
• lofty
• patronizing
• self-assertive
• magisterial
• highfalutin
• self-asserting
• condescending
• stiff-necked
• pontifical
• bossy
• snobbish
• impudent
• snooty
• disdainful
• egotistical
• snobby
• bombastic
• saucy
• boastful
• cocky
• vain
• egocentric
• narcissistic
• vainglorious
• egoistical
• swaggering
• uninhibited
• hubristic
• complacent
• egotistic
• impertinent
• conceited
• blusterous
• pontificating
• bragging
• extraverted
• egoistic
• self-complacent
• blustery
• self-affected
• prideful
• unreserved
• self-pleased
• extroverted
• stuck-up
• orgulous
• self-satisfied
• self-flattering
• self-centered
• brash
• braggy
• immodest
• braggart
• self-conceited
• self-applauding
• forward
• self-loving
• self-promoting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• unpretentious
• shrinking
• subdued
• timid
• passive
• sheepish
• bashful
• yielding
• compliant
• diffident
• shy
• deferential
• mousy
• unarrogant
• demure
• introverted
• unobtrusive
• meek
• acquiescent
• unaggressive
• submissive
• unassuming
• quiet
• unassertive
• overmodest
• reserved
• cowering
• mousey
• cringing
• self-critical
• retiring
• self-doubting

2

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself

the superior attitude of the store owner's son drove the other employees crazy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proud
• arrogant
• cavalier
• disdainful
• smug
• haughty
• domineering
• selfish
• lordly
• prideful
• dominating
• confident
• important
• lofty
• hifalutin
• highfalutin
• egotistical
• snobbish
• uppity
• supercilious
• vainglorious
• complacent
• egotistic
• overbearing
• patronizing
• condescending
• conceited
• vain
• pretentious
• masterful
• egoistic
• overconfident
• swaggering
• bombastic
• cocky
• pompous
• self-contented
• impudent
• high-sounding
• peremptory
• overweening
• self-satisfied
• boastful
• stuck-up
• self-important
• self-assertive
• magisterial
• brassy
• bloated
• self-conceited
• saucy
• sniffy
• egocentric
• cocksure
• cheeky
• bossy
• presumptuous
• imperious
• brash
• forward
• audacious
• impertinent
• bold
• sure
• self-glorifying
• self-confident
• self-assured
• presuming
• high-handed
• self-centered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• homely
• meek
• unpretentious
• unassuming
• timid
• unpretending
• demure
• bashful
• shy
• retiring
• yielding
• compliant
• deferential
• diffident
• passive
• acquiescent
• submissive
• ingratiating
• shrinking
• apologetic
• quiet
• unassertive
• resigned
• subdued
• unobtrusive
• reserved
• self-doubting
• cowering
• cringing

3

as in excellent

of the very best kind

a five-star restaurant known for its superior wine list

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellent
• superb
• great
• terrific
• wonderful
• awesome
• beautiful
• fantastic
• stellar
• lovely
• fabulous
• marvellous
• prime
• marvelous
• fine
• quality
• hot
• classic
• superlative
• heavenly
• famous
• divine
• exceptional
• first-class
• unsurpassed
• first-rate
• neat
• splendid
• top-notch
• high-class
• cool
• top
• sensational
• good
• top-shelf
• slick
• immense
• noble
• choice
• par excellence
• brave
• better
• cracking
• grand
• too much
• sterling
• frontline
• first-string
• topflight
• supernal
• top-of-the-line
• decent
• topping
• out of this world
• dynamite
• prize
• capital
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• keen
• crackerjack
• dandy
• banner
• radical
• mean
• righteous
• boss
• peachy
• swell
• primo
• nifty
• fab
• satisfactory
• adequate
• dope
• groovy
• out-of-sight
• A1
• bully
• number one
• tip-top
• bumper
• special
• gone
• acceptable
• gilt-edge
• wizard
• No. 1
• fantabulous
• five-star
• gangbuster
• traditional
• bang-up
• corking
• peachy keen
• four-star
• prizewinning
• hype
• brag
• down
• gangbusters
• boffo
• A-OK
• premium
• okay
• tolerable
• gilt-edged
• phat
• classical
• numero uno
• high-grade
• passable
• jim-dandy
• all right
• bonny
• standard
• bonnie
• fancy
• OK
• select
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• awful
• inferior
• pathetic
• lousy
• vile
• wretched
• atrocious
• rotten
• unsatisfactory
• bad
• substandard
• low-grade
• execrable
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

4

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement

a university known for attracting superior scientists and mathematicians

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outstanding
• distinguished
• prestigious
• illustrious
• famous
• notable
• noteworthy
• eminent
• noble
• luminous
• renowned
• signal
• bright
• honored
• star
• celebrated
• glorious
• preeminent
• redoubtable
• infamous
• dominant
• famed
• reputable
• exalted
• astral
• notorious
• predominant
• paramount

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• unimportant
• insignificant
• average
• inferior
• mediocre
• obscure
• unsung
• uncelebrated

superior

2 of 2

noun

as in boss

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boss
• leader
• master
• elder
• better
• senior
• chief
• head

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subordinate
• inferior
• assistant
• deputy
• underling

Examples of superior in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While most considered Burger King’s packaging far superior, the comments about the food itself were pretty comparable. —Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Laparoscopy is often considered superior because there is less recovery time and post-op discomfort. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Noun

His superiors discovered his activities, and Wright left the firm on bad terms. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024

Katie Hafner: Frances’s superiors had good reason to expect this application to be an easy one. —Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024