superiority

Language: en

🇬🇧 /suˌːpɪərɪˈɒrɪti/ 🇺🇸 /ˌsuːpɪriːˈɔrɪtiː/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The state or quality of being superior; the condition of being higher in rank, status, quality, or degree compared to others.; An attitude or feeling of being better or more important than others; arrogance or condescension.; A position of dominance or advantage over an opponent, especially in military or strategic contexts.; The quality of being greater in number, amount, or strength; numerical or quantitative advantage.; In psychology (Adlerian theory), a drive or striving to overcome feelings of inferiority and achieve mastery or perfection, known as the striving for superiority.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

sense of superioritysuperiority complexair of superioritymilitary superioritytechnological superiorityair superioritymoral superiority

Derivatives

superiorsuperiorlysuperiority complex

Synonyms

supremacydominancepreeminenceascendancypredominanceprimacy

Antonyms

inferioritysubordination

Commonly confused

supremacy
EN: 'Supremacy' implies absolute power or control over others; 'superiority' refers more broadly to the quality of being better or higher in rank.
superior
EN: 'Superior' is the adjective (or noun for a person of higher rank); 'superiority' is the abstract noun denoting the quality or state.

Spelling tips

EN: Note the suffix change from 'superior' to 'superiority' — the '-or' ending becomes '-ority', not '-ority' with an extra 'e'. Do not write '*superiourity'.

💬 Examples

  1. The superiority of their technology gave them a significant competitive advantage in the market.

  2. She spoke with an air of superiority that made her colleagues feel belittled.

  3. The army achieved air superiority within the first week of the conflict.

  4. Despite their superiority in numbers, the defending forces were unable to hold the position.

  5. According to Adler, the striving for superiority is a fundamental motivating force in human behavior.