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
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
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Deploying autonomous vehicles that are slightly better than human drivers could save hundreds of thousands of lives over 30 years, more than if companies waited until the technology was superior to humans, researchers found.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The ensign, who had neglected to check the tides before entering the harbor, immediately reported his failure to his superiors, who fired him and hauled him before a court-martial.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superior
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Adjective
Clear bins are often a superior choice to cardboard boxes, one of the worst storage solutions available.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Deploying autonomous vehicles that are slightly better than human drivers could save hundreds of thousands of lives over 30 years, more than if companies waited until the technology was superior to humans, researchers found.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Clotworthy and then-partner Michael Fabila escaped the flow and went back to work for much of the next 24 hours blocking traffic on Highway 101, actions their CHP superiors said saved lives.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The ensign, who had neglected to check the tides before entering the harbor, immediately reported his failure to his superiors, who fired him and hauled him before a court-martial.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superior
Cite this Entry
“Superior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superior. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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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