superiority complex

noun

Definition of superiority complexnext
as in bumptiousness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of superiority complex His superiority complex results in every seeming slight getting added to his list of offenses, while his lack of self-esteem (which of course often comes with a superiority complex) ensures that the decency of others further fuels his rage. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026 This gulf has long been a source of misunderstandings, superiority complexes and also humor. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Nov. 2025 Narcissists are known for their sense of entitlement, self-centeredness, superiority complex, and condescending attitude toward others. — Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 The Neun are your bosses, with excessively potent abilities and superiority complexes to match. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 Regarding the supporting cast, Dave is a white, privileged dude with a superiority complex, and in the show, he’s surrounded by people of color who challenge his perception of himself. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 July 2025 Khan is arrogant and has maintained his superiority complex towards his Arlen neighbors. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 July 2025 However, because a superiority complex is so closely related to narcissistic personality disorder, experts theorize that the effects of NPD can sometimes overlap with the effects of a superiority complex. — Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superiority complex
  1. high horse
  2. arrogance
  3. superiority
  4. superciliousness
  5. assumption
Noun
  • Not that Slusser cares or is interested because her moral high horse is far too tall to allow for much research, but Hentges was non-tendered by the Cleveland Guardians after the 2025 season.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • To put it nicely, James is high horse moral blowhard on a lot of things, and one is being vegan.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 May 2026
Definition of high horse
Noun
  • But while that might suggest arrogance, Dawson’s answer to another question reflects humility.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Aemond, too, for that matter, while Daemon’s arrogance continues to get Team Black into all sorts of predicaments.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • One side is struggling to turn military superiority into lasting political gains, while the other may need only to survive to claim victory.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The protagonist is legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, depicted as a young samurai who arrives in Kyoto determined to prove his superiority with the blade.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • However, in the wrong hands, being silent can signal disdain and superciliousness.
    — Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of superciliousness
Noun
  • The alternative is to allow each side’s strategy to reinforce the other’s worst assumptions until escalation begins to look less like a choice than an inevitability.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Bareilles is mourning a few things — the deaths of close friends, dreams of easy fertility, assumptions of female autonomy, the American dream — but the music soars, more often than not.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumption

Browse Nearby Words

superiority
superiority complex
superiorly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Superiority complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superiority%20complex. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All