superiority

noun

su·​pe·​ri·​or·​i·​ty su̇-ˌpir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce superiority (audio)
ˌsü-,
-ˈär-
plural superiorities
: the quality or state of being superior
also : a superior characteristic

Examples of superiority in a Sentence

His success has given him a false sense of superiority. the superiority of some of the customers at the exclusive beauty salon is enough to curl your hair
Recent Examples on the Web This allows makers/goers to enjoy the film’s obscenity for their own hipster superiority. Armond White, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024 Furthermore, these assurances must ensure that Saudi Arabia’s capabilities do not compromise Israel’s ability to maintain its qualitative military edge, or superiority in defense technologies and capabilities over other regional powers. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 The Clippers, who have been the West’s best for the last two months, waited until the fourth quarter of that Valentine’s Day game to exert their superiority over the Dubs. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 In addition, Ukraine’s better units have been fighting almost non-stop for two years, while Russia mobilized an additional 300,000 troops to increase its numerical superiority. Tim Lister, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 But where Saints exhibited its superiority was on the glass, outrebounding SFC 34-22. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024 But McCarthy was also waging a retrospective argument about World War II: that the Americans had no claim to superiority over the Germans. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 But its grassroots feminism went against the more urbane variety that embraces superiority and — ironically — victimhood. Armond White, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024 For some strange reason, spending money on personal longevity has never been a popular show of one’s power, wealth, and superiority. Alex Zhavoronkov, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superiority.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of superiority was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near superiority

Cite this Entry

“Superiority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superiority. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

superiority

noun
su·​pe·​ri·​or·​i·​ty su̇-ˌpir-ē-ˈȯr-ət-ē How to pronounce superiority (audio)
-ˈär-
plural superiorities
: the state or fact of being superior

More from Merriam-Webster on superiority

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