superior
Above the rest
Superior describes something higher in rank, quality, or position: a superior officer, superior craftsmanship.
The word often carries a comparative sense—superior to something else.
A superior is also a person of higher rank: Report to your superior.
Someone with a superior attitude acts condescending or self-important: She gave me that superior look.
In anatomy, superior means situated above: the superior vena cava. (Capitalized Superior typically refers to Lake Superior.)
Exceptionally good or unpaid
- superbExtremely impressive, first-rate
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- excellentOf superior quality
- stellarOf or like celestial bodies
first-rate · top-notch · world-class · premium · prime · finest · preeminent · peerless
More elevated in position
- seniorHigher in rank
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- aboveAt greater height
- upperShoe part above sole
elevated · advanced · head · chief · lead · top · overseer · director
Boundary or sharpness
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
supremacy · lead · headstart · vantage · strength · asset · gain · favorable
Excessive self-importance
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- snobberyPretentious social superiority
- disdainScornful disregard
superciliousness · smugness · contempt · aloofness · sneering · pomposity · imperiousness · dismissive
outstanding
Exceptionally good or unpaid
- superbExtremely impressive, first-rate
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- excellentOf superior quality
stellar · first-rate · top-notch · world-class · premium · prime · finest · preeminent · peerless · unmatched
higher
More elevated in position
upper · elevated · advanced · head · chief · lead · top · overseer · director · manager
edge
Boundary or sharpness
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
preeminence · supremacy · lead · headstart · vantage · strength · asset · gain · favorable · forefront
arrogance
Excessive self-importance
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- snobberyPretentious social superiority
disdain · superciliousness · smugness · contempt · aloofness · sneering · pomposity · imperiousness · dismissive · patronizing
- above averageexcellent, exceptional, outstanding, remarkable, impressive
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- egotismarrogant, conceited, egocentric, egomaniac, egotist
- hierarchyrank, ranked, authority, command, tiered
- praiselauding, compliments, laudation, accolades, great job
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
superiorinferior
Of lower rank
substandard · poor · second-rate · low-quality · shoddy
superiorhumble
Unassuming about oneself
modest · meek · unpretentious · self-effacing · lowly
- air superiorityControl of the sky
- superior officerSomeone above in rank
- Lake SuperiorLargest Great Lake
- superiority complexDelusion of being better
- moral superiorityBelief in one's greater virtue
- Mother SuperiorConvent's female head
superiority, superintendent, superior colliculus, superior vena cava, superiors, superiorities, superiorly, superior court