as in bosses
one who is above another in rank, station, or office
if a customer is rude to you, report it to your superior and she'll handle it
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Recent Examples of superiors
But when Commissioner Marty Makary presented that list for sign-off to the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the FDA, and to the White House in October, his superiors shot it down, the people said.
—
Elaine Chen, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
In 2018, Ruis was brought up on department charges for not informing his superiors about changes to an order of protection filed against him by his estranged wife at the time.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
When should troops disobey their superiors?
—TheWeek, 23 Jan. 2026
The most likely outcome of such a meeting is that I would have been called in to explain myself to my superiors.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Speaking of the Robby ethos, all three of our med students should be looking to our quiet king Whitaker for how to not just impress their superiors but, like, be a good doctor.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
The idea that women won’t attract Soviet suspicion because they’re overlooked and underestimated, as bureau chief Dane (Adrian Lester) argues to his superiors as a rationale for taking them on, is both simplistic and swiftly belied by the show’s subsequent events.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Adina is an alien who’s been sent to earth to observe humanity and report back to her superiors.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Mid-level officials, in turn, were no longer convinced that their superiors would protect them.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Elaine Chen, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
In 2018, Ruis was brought up on department charges for not informing his superiors about changes to an order of protection filed against him by his estranged wife at the time.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
When should troops disobey their superiors?
—TheWeek, 23 Jan. 2026
The most likely outcome of such a meeting is that I would have been called in to explain myself to my superiors.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Speaking of the Robby ethos, all three of our med students should be looking to our quiet king Whitaker for how to not just impress their superiors but, like, be a good doctor.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
The idea that women won’t attract Soviet suspicion because they’re overlooked and underestimated, as bureau chief Dane (Adrian Lester) argues to his superiors as a rationale for taking them on, is both simplistic and swiftly belied by the show’s subsequent events.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Adina is an alien who’s been sent to earth to observe humanity and report back to her superiors.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Mid-level officials, in turn, were no longer convinced that their superiors would protect them.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superiors
Noun
-
Sharon is keeping an eye on the guy who got his diamonds ripped off in Act One, because her bosses don’t want to pay out.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Their probation officers might need to meet with their bosses.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Metcalfe Park Elders is a series of profiles featuring elders living in Milwaukee's Metcalfe Park neighborhood who share their personal stories, memories and vision for the future of their community.—
April Quevedo,
jsonline.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In Neihardt’s book, Black Elk’s tribal elders instruct him to stage his revelation as a performance so that its power might circulate among his people.—
Shannon Taggart,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Support for the measure was offered by some, including union leaders, who warned residents, particularly seniors, are likely to struggle if a local solution to federal budget cuts isn’t adopted.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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City leaders are directing residents with questions or concerns to contact their state representatives and pledged transparency if new information emerges.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The low-down dive bar is draped in painterly shadows inspired by Renaissance masters, the stale cigarette stench palpable.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The collection includes everything from paintings by European masters to ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, to Asian textiles to clothing by iconic fashion designers.—
Katie James Watkinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superiors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superiors. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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