superiority
/suːˌpɪəriˈɒrəti/ (bre, ipa) · /suːˌpɪriˈɔːrəti/ (ame, ipa) · /su̇-ˌpir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē ˌsü-, -ˈär-/ (ame, mw)
superiority — noun
1. The condition of being more skilled, capable, or effective than others you are c
The condition of being more skilled, capable, or effective than others you are compared with.
The team's technical superiority secured them a comfortable victory in the final match.
collocation: technical superiority + over (implied)
No one disputes the superiority of this phone's camera over all its competitors.
pattern: superiority of [noun] over [noun]
Online maps have proved their superiority over paper maps for everyday navigation.
The new alloy's superiority lies in its ability to resist rust without adding weight.
Doctors in the study argued that the superiority of the new treatment was clear within six months.
- dominance
emphasizes control or being the most powerful, not just better
- supremacy
stronger than superiority; implies being the highest or most powerful in a competitive context
- preeminence
focuses on recognized excellence within a field, often more formal
- inferiority
the state of being lower in quality or rank
文法句型
superiority + over + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently appears with the preposition 'over' to indicate the person or thing being surpassed. Common in formal or analytical writing about sports, technology, military, and business.
常見錯誤
2. An attitude that communicates you believe you are more important or more gifted
An attitude that communicates you believe you are more important or more gifted than everyone else, often making others feel uncomfortable or annoyed.
Ana's constant talk of her achievements gave off an air of superiority that annoyed her classmates.
collocation: air of superiority
The manager's sense of superiority made it hard for junior staff to share their ideas openly.
collocation: sense of superiority
The author's writing is marked by a tone of moral superiority toward modern consumer society.
Kenji tried to hide his feelings of superiority, but his dismissive tone gave him away.
- arrogance
more direct and common; implies offensive self-importance
- haughtiness
suggests looking down on others because of social status or pride
- condescension
treating others as if you are doing them a favour by noticing them
文法句型
sense of superiority
air of superiority
用法筆記
This sense always carries a negative judgment. It describes an attitude that others find unpleasant, not an objective assessment of being better. Common in fixed phrases: 'air of superiority', 'sense of superiority', 'tone of superiority'.
常見錯誤
3. The condition of occupying a higher official grade, status, or social class than
The condition of occupying a higher official grade, status, or social class than someone else.
The general's superiority in rank meant that all officers had to follow his orders without question.
collocation: superiority in rank
In traditional ceremonies, guests are seated according to their social superiority and age.
collocation: social superiority
The judge questioned the claim of legal superiority made by the federal agency.
An officer's superiority of rank is shown by the number of stripes on the uniform sleeve.
- seniority
emphasises length of service rather than height of rank
- precedence
having the right to be placed before others in order of importance
- predominance
being the most numerous or powerful in a group
- inferiority
lower rank or position
- subordination
being under the authority of someone else
文法句型
superiority + in + noun
social superiority
用法筆記
Typically refers to formal hierarchies such as military command, government agencies, or traditional social structures. Less common in everyday conversation than sense 1 or sense 2.