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
Michael Shribman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Timothée Chalamet’s performance in this is superior.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Jan Swafford, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
Jeremi Gorman, his previous superior, left in October of last year.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for superior 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
While many business professionals are likely familiar with the steps of basic decision making, the challenge lies in refining and optimizing this process to achieve superior outcomes.
—Michael Shribman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Timothée Chalamet’s performance in this is superior.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
What Beethoven, who considered Handel his only musical superior, particularly admired was his ability to get dazzling effects with simple means.
—Jan Swafford, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
Jeremi Gorman, his previous superior, left in October of last year.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for superior
Dictionary Entries Near superior
Cite this Entry
“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superior. Accessed 29 Nov. 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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