superiority
Being above others
Superiority is the state of being better, higher in rank, or greater in quality than others.
It can describe objective advantage—military superiority, numerical superiority—or a subjective attitude of looking down on others: an air of superiority, a superiority complex.
The word often carries a whiff of arrogance when applied to attitudes rather than measurable qualities.
Boundary or sharpness
- upper-handAdvantageous position over another
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
ascendancy · preeminence · vantage · benefit · privilege · favor · asset · strength
Complete skill or control
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
virtuosity · preeminence · talent · prowess · craftsmanship · artistry · genius · skillfulness
Exaggerated self-admiration
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
smugness · self-importance · condescension · contempt · disdain · pomposity · swagger · superciliousness
Ranked authority structure
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominationSupreme authority held
- powerEnergy transfer rate
command · hegemony · sovereignty · subjugation · overlordship · rule · conquest · oppression
Of supreme significance
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- unrivaledHaving no equal
- peerlessHaving no equal
matchless · incomparable · unparalleled · transcendence · pinnacle · zenith · apex · acme
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
- blue-bloodPerson of noble descent
- patricianHighborn Roman elite
gentry · oligarchy · upper-crust · exclusivity · prestige · snobbery · classism · bourgeoisie
edge
Boundary or sharpness
- upper-handAdvantageous position over another
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
dominance · ascendancy · preeminence · vantage · benefit · privilege · favor · asset · strength · merit
mastery
Complete skill or control
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- proficiencySkilled performance level
brilliance · virtuosity · preeminence · talent · prowess · craftsmanship · artistry · genius · skillfulness · eminence
conceit
Exaggerated self-admiration
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
vanity · smugness · self-importance · condescension · contempt · disdain · pomposity · swagger · superciliousness · loftiness
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominationSupreme authority held
power · command · hegemony · sovereignty · subjugation · overlordship · rule · conquest · oppression · imperialism
paramount
Of supreme significance
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- unrivaledHaving no equal
peerless · matchless · incomparable · unparalleled · transcendence · pinnacle · zenith · apex · acme · summit
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
- blue-bloodPerson of noble descent
patrician · gentry · oligarchy · upper-crust · exclusivity · prestige · snobbery · classism · bourgeoisie · highborn
- narcissismnarcissist, narcissistic personality disorder, ego, vanity, self-love
- contemptcontempt, scorn, disdain, despise, derision
- dominancedominance, dominant, ascendancy, primacy, hegemony
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, perfection, premium, first-class
- qualityquality, excellence, grade, caliber, finest
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
superiorityinferiority
Lower status or quality
subordination · subservience · lowliness · subjection · disadvantage
superiorityinferiority
Lower status or quality
mediocrity · poorness · badness · crumminess · worthlessness
superiorityhumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · meekness · unpretentiousness · unassumingness · diffidence
- air superiorityControl of the sky
- superiority complexDelusion of being better
- moral superiorityBelief in one's greater virtue
- superiority complexesExaggerated sense of self-importance
- technological superiorityAdvanced capability advantage