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noun Uncommon

superiority

suu-peer-ee-O-rih-tee

Superiority (noun) means the state or quality of being better, higher-ranking, or more advanced than others. Example: “The team demonstrated its technical superiority throughout the match.”

noun
1
The state or quality of being better, higher-ranking, or more advanced than others.
"The team demonstrated its technical superiority throughout the match."

How to use superiority

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing better, stronger, or higher-ranked than something else.

Easily confused with
superiority complex
Common pairings
sense of superiority military superiority superiority complex

Word forms

superiorities plural

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The team demonstrated its technical _____ throughout the match.

Etymology

From Old French superiorite, ultimately from Latin superior, "higher" — superior + the noun-forming suffix -ity.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for superiority

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Frequently asked questions

What does “superiority” mean?

The word “superiority” means the state or quality of being better, higher-ranking, or more advanced than others. In plain terms, being better, stronger, or higher-ranked than something else.

How do you pronounce “superiority”?

“Superiority” is pronounced suu-peer-ee-O-rih-tee (/sʊˌpɪə(ɹ).iˈɒ.ɹɪ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “superiority” in a sentence?

Here is “superiority” used in a sentence: “The team demonstrated its technical superiority throughout the match.”

What is another word for “superiority”?

Words with a similar meaning to “superiority” include advantage, altitude, ascendance, ascendancy, betterhood and betterness.

What is the opposite of “superiority”?

The opposite of “superiority” — its antonyms — is inferiority.

What part of speech is “superiority”?

“Superiority” is a noun.

Where does the word “superiority” come from?

The word “superiority” comes from Latin. From Old French superiorite, ultimately from Latin superior, "higher" — superior + the noun-forming suffix -ity.

Is “superiority” a common word?

“Superiority” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between "superiority" and "supremacy"?

"Superiority" refers to the state of being better or more advanced than others in some respect, while "supremacy" denotes total dominance or having no equal at all. Supremacy is a more absolute claim than a general sense of superiority.

What is a "superiority complex"?

A superiority complex describes a psychological pattern where a person exaggerates their own abilities or importance, often to mask underlying insecurity, believing they are inherently better than others.

How is "superiority" used in military or competitive contexts?

In military and competitive contexts, "superiority" often refers to having a measurable advantage, such as "air superiority," meaning greater control or capability than an opponent in a particular domain.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial