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Superciliousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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superciliousness

 

[ ˌsuː.pərˈsɪl.i.əs.nəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

attitude, behavior

Superciliousness refers to an attitude of superiority or disdain towards others. It is characterized by haughty disdain or a condescending demeanor, often manifesting as arrogance. Individuals displaying superciliousness believe themselves to be better than those around them, which can alienate others.

Synonyms

arrogance, condescension, disdain, haughtiness, snobbery.

Examples of usage

  • Her superciliousness made it difficult to form friendships.
  • The manager's superciliousness created a toxic work environment.
  • He spoke with such superciliousness that no one wanted to engage with him.
  • Their superciliousness was evident during the debate.
  • The actor's superciliousness annoyed his fans.

Translations

Translations of the word "superciliousness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superciliosidade

🇮🇳 गर्व

🇩🇪 Überheblichkeit

🇮🇩 sombong

🇺🇦 пихатість

🇵🇱 arogancja

🇯🇵 傲慢

🇫🇷 saupoudré

🇪🇸 súperciliosidad

🇹🇷 kibir

🇰🇷 거만함

🇸🇦 تفاخر

🇨🇿 povýšenost

🇸🇰 povýšenosť

🇨🇳 傲慢

🇸🇮 napuhjenost

🇮🇸 hroðvirkni

🇰🇿 мақтаншақтық

🇬🇪 ზედმეტობა

🇦🇿 təkəbbür

🇲🇽 súperciliosidad

Etymology

The word 'superciliousness' derives from the Latin 'superciliosus,' meaning 'haughty' or 'proud,' which itself comes from 'supercilium,' meaning 'eyebrow' or 'haughty look.' The connection to eyebrows refers to the raised brow of someone displaying arrogance or disdain. The word entered English in the late 16th century and has been used to describe a demeanor of contempt and superiority ever since. Its usage highlights the psychological aspect of feeling superior to others, often manifesting in specific body language and tone. Over time, 'superciliousness' has also been linked to social class differences, where those of higher social standing may exhibit such behavior towards those perceived as lesser.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,897, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.