superiority complex
2
7.2
- noun
- /suːˌpɪəriˈɔːrɪti ˈkɒmplɛks/
:
complejo de superioridad
- His constant need to show off is a result of his superiority complex, making him believe he is better than others.
This moral superiority complex they have, this arrogance they have.
- This moral superiority complex they have, this arrogance they have.
- And there's nothing weirder than a superiority complex within your own self that I am bigger than who I used to be.
Examples
-
This us-versus-them binary also exists to nurture a superiority complex common to US citizens.
Academic text (2014) -
Elaine was tired of defending her parents; in her opinion, they all had superiority complexes, anyway.
Fiction book (1995) -
It's all just a part of your superiority complex, anyway.
-
It's like they all have this superiority complex.
-
I hate people with a superiority complex.
-
A superiority complex is a very serious sign of personal issues that need to be taken care of right away!
Blog text (18) -
So, settle down and give your superiority complex a rest.
Blog text (2) -
The world will be a better place the day Western civilizations stop developing a superiority complex.
Blog text (6) -
One witness described her as overly cheerful with a superiority complex.
-
You come across as a whiny, unintelligent fan with a serious superiority complex.
Blog text (20)
Synonyms
133
4.8
Being too proud and acting as if you are better than others
56
5.6
Extreme pride in how you look or what you can do
33
6.1
Acting or feeling that you are better than other people and making them feel small
16
7.9
An attitude that shows someone feels more important than others
12
6.3
An attitude of thinking you are better than others because of wealth or class
10
8.0
Too much pride in yourself and your abilities
8
6.2
Thinking you are more important than other people
7
6.1
Thinking and talking about yourself too much and feeling better than others
2
7.7
Acting like you are more important or more educated than you really are
1
7.9
Thinking that you are more important or powerful than others
1
7.5
A way of thinking that makes you feel better than others and makes you treat them as less important
1
7.4
A way of behaving like you are better than other people because of money or class
1
8.4
Being someone who thinks they are better than people with less money or social position and looks down on them
1
8.1
A way of behaving that shows you think you are better than other people
1
7.4
Feeling that you are much better than other people
Thinking you are much better or more important than other people
Behaving as if you are better than other people
Treating people as if they are less smart or important
Being too proud of your appearance or abilities
Antonyms
How Self-Important
- Specialized
9
9.0
133
4.8
2
7.2
11
4.4
49
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The element 'superiority' clearly signals an attitude of being above others, so part of the meaning is inferable from the constituents. However, 'complex' here has a specialized psychological sense ('a persistent cluster of feelings/attitudes') that a B1 learner who only knows general senses of 'complex' (e.g. complicated) may not predict; because the psychological usage requires prior exposure despite some cross-linguistic parallels (e.g. Spanish/French equivalents), the phrase is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Superiority complex comes from putting together superiority (feeling 'better than others') and complex (a set of hidden feelings). Imagine someone standing on a small box to look taller so people think they are important — that's why the phrase means acting like you're better to hide inner doubts.