supercilious

[soo-per-sil-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.

   Synonyms: scornful, arrogant
   Antonyms: humble

supercilious

/ ˌsuːpəˈsɪlɪəs /

adjective

1. displaying arrogant pride, scorn, or indifference

Other Word Forms

• superciliously adverb
• superciliousness noun
• unsupercilious adjective
• unsuperciliously adverb
• unsuperciliousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of supercilious¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin superciliōsus; supercilium, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of supercilious¹

C16: from Latin superciliōsus, from supercilium eyebrow; see _superciliary

Example Sentences

Most memorable is the exit of Pozzo and Lucky that finds Pozzo slowly pushing Lucky in his wheelchair—illustrating the idea that there remains a bedrock of humanity even in this supercilious boor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He accused her comments of being "supercilious lectures from someone who thinks they are superior on these issues".

Read more on BBC

Even FOX News has called out the Republicans for their supercilious stupidity.

Read more on Salon

It's very fitting that a supercilious centrist group like No Labels would deliver the death blow to American democracy.

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LB has few prospects — and certainly is not interested in pompous developer Darcy Wong, who is as supercilious as he is wealthy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times