be superior

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Be better in quality or performance than someone or something else.

   Grammar: Followed by 'to' plus the thing you are compared with: 'superior to the old model'.

   Patterns

   • be superior to something
   • be superior in quality
   • be far superior to

   This fabric is superior to the cheaper cotton in every way.

   Their service is far superior to what we received last year.

   The new engine is superior in both power and fuel economy.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasedisapproving

   Think you are better or more important than other people.

   Grammar: Used of a person's attitude; often followed by 'to' and sounds disapproving.

   Patterns

   • be superior to someone
   • act superior

   He acts as if he is superior to everyone in the office.

   Don't be superior about your education; others worked just as hard.

Common combinations

be superior to

The test results show this method is superior to the old one.

be vastly superior

Their design is vastly superior and costs less.

be superior in quality

These shoes are superior in quality and last longer.

be numerically superior

The other team was numerically superior, with more players fit.

Synonyms and how they differ

be better than

Be better than is the plain, everyday choice and uses 'than'; 'be superior to' is more formal and uses 'to'.

be outstanding

Be outstanding means excellent on its own, without comparing it to anything else, so it does not need 'to'.

Opposites

Word family

superiority noun

The state of being better or higher in rank.

superior noun

A person of higher rank, such as a boss.

superior adjective

Better in quality, or higher in rank.

Commonly confused: be superior or superior than?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be superior”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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