su·pe·ri·or
su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 
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: such 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
superiorly
adverb
1
: one who is above another in rank, station, or office
especially
: the head of a religious house or order
2
: one that surpasses another in quality or merit
3
Synonyms
Adjective
- arrogant
- assumptive
- bumptious
- cavalier
- chesty
- haughty
- high-and-mighty
- high-handed
- high-hat
- highfalutin
- hifalutin
- huffish
- huffy
- imperious
- important
- lofty
- lordly
- masterful
- overweening
- peremptory
- pompous
- presuming
- presumptuous
- pretentious
- self-asserting
- self-assertive
- sniffy
- stiff-necked
- supercilious
- toplofty
- toploftical
- uppish
- uppity
Noun
Examples of superior in a Sentence
Adjective
This new model offers superior performance.
The small army was overwhelmed by superior numbers.
He only helps us because it makes him feel superior.
Report to your superior officer.
The verdict was reversed by a superior court.
Noun
His superior gave him an excellent evaluation.
You should report any problems to your immediate superior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
Related The best wireless earbuds to buy right now
Taken individually, the changes don’t seem radical, but all of them together lead to a noticeably superior pair of earbuds.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 1 June 2024
Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024
In the days that followed, Hansen sensed that Johnson had notified some of his superiors.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for superior 
Adjective
This year’s gathering is in San Diego from May 30- June 2, and offers a long weekend of panels, workshops and signings, and culminates in the presentation of tonight’s Bram Stoker Awards in 13 categories for superior achievement in horror writing.
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
Related The best wireless earbuds to buy right now
Taken individually, the changes don’t seem radical, but all of them together lead to a noticeably superior pair of earbuds.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 1 June 2024
Noun
Upon Webb’s arrival, he was given his orders in no uncertain terms by his superior, a two-star general.
—Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024
In the days that followed, Hansen sensed that Johnson had notified some of his superiors.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for superior
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superior.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near superior
Cite this Entry
“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superior. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superior
1 of 2 adjective
su·pe·ri·or
su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər
1
: situated higher up : upper
2
: of higher rank, quality, or importance
3
: courageously or calmly indifferent (as to something painful)
4
a
: greater in quantity or numbers
escaped by superior speed
b
: excellent of its kind : better
a superior memory
5
: covering or including more things
a genus is superior to a species
6
: feeling that one is better or more important than others
superiorly
adverb
superior
2 of 2 noun1
: one who is above another in rank, station, or office
especially
: the head of a religious house or order
2
: one that goes beyond another in quality or merit
Medical Definition
superior
adjective
su·pe·ri·or
su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər
1
: situated toward the head and further away from the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being
the superior medial edge of the patient's right scapula—J. M. Lewis
compare inferior sense 1
J. M. Lewis2
: situated in a more anterior or dorsal position in the body of a quadruped compare inferior sense 2
Geographical Definition
Superior
geographical name
Su·pe·ri·or
su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər
city and port on Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin population 27,244
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