superiority
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the state of being better, stronger, or more effective than others.
the state of being superior in quality, skill, or power. Uncountable in its abstract sense.
Simple“The team proved their superiority by winning every game in the tournament.”
In context“The technological superiority of the new aircraft allowed the company to secure the contract despite the higher production costs.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a feeling or way of behaving that shows you think you are better than other people.
an attitude of conceit or superciliousness based on a belief in one's own higher status or intelligence.
Simple“He spoke with an air of superiority that made his colleagues feel uncomfortable.”
In context“Her quiet air of intellectual superiority often alienated her peers, who found her refusal to explain basic concepts condescending.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
in history, the legal right a lord had over land held by a lower-ranking person.
the legal right or interest which a superior holds in land occupied by a vassal. Used primarily in historical or legal contexts regarding feudalism.
Simple“The lord maintained his superiority over the village lands for many generations.”
In context“Under the feudal system, the crown held the ultimate superiority of all lands, granting usage rights to nobles in exchange for military service.”
SynonymslordshipoverlordshipAntonymsvassalage
“That is, maybe men are sick of moral superiority, especially coming from a woman, right?”
“This man went to social media to brag about it — and, he said himself, to show his superiority.”
From Middle English superiorite, from Old French superiorite, from Medieval Latin superioritas, from Latin superior. Morphologically superior + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.