supercilious

American  

[soo-per-sil-ee-uhs] / ˌsu pərˈsɪl i əs /

adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   scornful, arrogant

   Antonyms:

   humble

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supercilious British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈsɪlɪəs /

adjective

1. displaying arrogant pride, scorn, or indifference

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of supercilious

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

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

You wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of this supercilious glance.

From Washington Post

It has become as much a signature tic as the supercilious grin or the word-salad mumble.

From Washington Post