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superior Definition

su·pe·rior (sə pir′ē ər)

adjective

  1. higher in space; placed higher up; upper
  2. high or higher in order, status, rank, etc.
  3. greater in quality or value than: with to
  4. above average in quality; excellent
  5. refusing to give in to or be affected by: with to a person superior to temptation
  6. showing a feeling of being better than others; haughty
  7. more comprehensive or inclusive; generic: said of terms, concepts, etc.
  8. Anat. located above or directed upward
  9. Astron.
    1. farther from the sun than the earth is: said of six planets
    2. designating that conjunction which occurs when the sun is directly between the earth and an inferior planet
  10. Bot.
    1. attached above some other organ, as the ovary of a hypogynous flower
    2. of the upper or adaxial petal of an axillary flower
  11. Printing placed above the type line, as 2 in x

Etymology: OFr < L, compar. of superus, that is above < super: see super-

noun

  1. a superior person or thing
  2. the head of a religious community

superior Related Forms

su·pe′·ri·orly adverb

Superior Definition

Su·pe·rior (sə pir′ē ər)

largest & westernmost of the Great Lakes, between Mich. & Ontario, Canada: 31,700 sq mi (82,103 sq km)

Etymology: orig. so called in Fr (Supérieur), from its position above Lake Huron

superior Synonyms

superior

modif.

higher, better, preferred, above, exceeding, finer, of higher rank, a cut above*, in ascendency, more exalted; see also excellent.

superior Usage Examples

Preposition: in

respect: In view of the existing high cure rate for WT, any novel therapies will have to be demonstrably superior in all respects.

Adjective modifier

  • ecclesiastical: In the period from 1402 to 1410 Hais hoped to effect a religious reformation, with the aid of his ecclesiastical superiors.
  • immediate: A good relationship with their immediate superiors is undoubtedly an important factor in inducing workers to stay with the organization.

Modifies a noun

  • gyrus: Should the STS, superior temporal gyrus, angular gyrus and middle temporal gyrus be referred to as one and the same region?
  • firepower: Peace can't be won, by superior firepower, or enforced entirely on your own terms.
  • cuisine: Perl Whirl The oldest swinging superior cuisine and nights of politics places to eat.
  • intellect: He had a mind of his own, but could be controlled by a superior intellect.
  • performance: They provide superior finished, performance enhancing goods which are good value for money.
  • quality: In addition many low price category sound cards do not deliver superior sound quality.

Modifying Another Word

  • vastly: The end result was a vastly superior album, much more balanced.
  • infinitely: But the stoutest hearts can not survive forever in the face of superior numbers and infinitely superior weapons.
  • morally: Shopkeepers are not necessarily morally superior or better behaved than bus drivers.
  • far: For I consider brains far superior to money, in every way.
  • technologically: For Alter it's an article of faith that agriculture is technologically superior to foraging.

Used with adjective complement

  • feel: A person who bullies may behave in this intimidating way in order to get attention or to make them feel superior to others.
  • appear: Both home-based and school-based methods had an impact but the former appeared superior in promoting book sharing.
  • consider: In most of Europe, the grayling is considered far superior to the brown trout.
  • rise: The spirit may be armed with powers which enable it to rise superior to gravity.
  • seem: I must say the Hoover is a much better machine all round and the build quality seems superior.