superman

noun

su·​per·​man ˈsü-pər-ˌman How to pronounce superman (audio)
1
: a superior man that according to Nietzsche has learned to forgo fleeting pleasures and attain happiness and dominance through the exercise of creative power
2
: a person of extraordinary or superhuman power or achievements

Examples of superman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The military is not allowed to disclose casualty numbers, photos of deceased Ukrainian soldiers are rare, and pictures of Zelensky dressed as superman have been shared by officials. Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 13 June 2022 Until China’s swimming superman Pan Zhanle took to the water. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 31 July 2024 Related Articles Nate Wiggins’ personality fits his job Elite physical traits only get you so far as an outside corner matched one-on-one with the arrogant supermen who play NFL wide receiver. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2024 American officials had long believed that Soviet military personnel were chiseled supermen. Clay Risen, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for superman 

Word History

Etymology

translation of German Übermensch, from über over, super- + Mensch man

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of superman was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near superman

Cite this Entry

“Superman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superman. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

superman

noun
su·​per·​man ˈsü-pər-ˌman How to pronounce superman (audio)
: a person with extraordinary or superhuman power

More from Merriam-Webster on superman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!