superiority
state of being better
The state of being better or stronger than another person or thing.
the superiority of [something] over [something]
- Their team showed clear superiority over the other side in every part of the game.
- The company’s technological superiority helped it dominate the global market.
- This study questions the supposed superiority of online learning over traditional classrooms.
- He never claimed intellectual superiority, even though he was very talented.
- The new model has a slight superiority in speed and battery life.
- Our team showed superiority and won the game easily.
- Her work has clear superiority over the other designs.
- The new phone has superiority in speed and camera quality.
- They want to keep their economic superiority over other countries.
- This method has superiority because it is faster and cheaper.
feeling of being better
The feeling or way of thinking that you are better than other people.
a feeling of superiority over [someone]
- His calm air of superiority made everyone else in the room uncomfortable.
- She tried to hide her sense of superiority, but it showed in her voice.
- The teacher warned the top students against developing a feeling of superiority over their classmates.
- People disliked his quiet superiority more than open arrogance.
- Her superiority toward less educated people damaged many relationships.
- He spoke with an air of superiority, as if we were children.
- Her sense of superiority makes it hard to work with her.
- The boy showed superiority and laughed at his classmates’ mistakes.
- We should not feel superiority just because we are rich.
- His quiet superiority made other people feel small.
military or strategic advantage
A military situation where one side is stronger or has more control than the other side in a certain place or area, for example in the air or at sea.
[side] gains superiority in [area]
- The air force quickly established air superiority over the region.
- Their overwhelming superiority in numbers made the battle one-sided.
- Modern armies depend on technological superiority as much as on troop strength.
- The country is investing heavily to maintain naval superiority in the area.
- Without information superiority, even a strong army can lose its advantage.
- The army needed air superiority before it could send in ground troops.
- They had military superiority and won the war quickly.
- The country wants to keep its nuclear superiority over its neighbors.
- Naval superiority is important for an island nation.
- Technological superiority can be more important than the number of soldiers.
higher rank or status
Higher position or power than another person or group in a system like society, law, or an organization.
the superiority of [group/position] over [group/position]
- The legal superiority of federal law over state law is clearly established.
- For centuries, the nobility claimed social superiority over common people.
- Some managers still assume their superiority gives them the right to ignore staff feedback.
- Debates about the supposed superiority of one class over another are now strongly criticized.
- The constitution denies the superiority of any religion over another.
- The king had clear superiority over all other people in the country.
- In the past, rich families had social superiority over poor families.
- The law gives no superiority to one race over another.
- Her position did not give her superiority over the director.
- Many people today question the superiority of one class over another.
- Base: superiority
- Plural: superiorities, superiority
air of superiority
1visible manner of superiority
A way of speaking or acting that clearly shows someone feels better than other people.
- She answered with an air of superiority that annoyed everyone.
- He walked into the room with an air of superiority, as if he owned the place.
air superiority
1military control of airspace
A military situation where one side has control of the sky in a war area and can use planes more safely than the enemy.
- The coalition forces gained air superiority within the first days of the conflict.
- Without air superiority, ground troops were forced to delay their advance.
moral superiority
1being better morally
The belief that your values or behavior are more right or good than other people’s.
- The article criticizes the moral superiority often claimed by certain political groups.
- Her tone suggested a feeling of moral superiority over everyone else in the discussion.
racial superiority
1belief one race is superior
The idea, now widely rejected and condemned, that one race is better or more valuable than other races.
- The theory of racial superiority has been used to justify terrible acts of violence.
- Modern science clearly rejects any claim of racial superiority.
sense of superiority
1inner feeling of being superior
The inner feeling that you are better than other people.
- His sense of superiority made it difficult for him to make friends.
- The training was meant to reduce any sense of superiority among the new officers.
superiority complex
1unrealistic belief of superiority
A strong and often unhealthy belief that you are better than other people.
- His arrogance is due to a superiority complex.
- His constant bragging makes it clear he has a superiority complex.
- People with a superiority complex often look down on others.
- People with a superiority complex often hide deep feelings of insecurity.
- Her colleagues joked that her superiority complex was bigger than her office.