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 • Sep. 29, 2025

Aldridge’s Stanley is as obtuse as he is supercilious, a dangerous combination for Francis and a hilarious one for us.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

But they are united in their certainty that their decisions, not the gripes of some supercilious state legislators, are the law of the land.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2023

Among other things, it explains the remarkably supercilious attitude Kakes has displayed toward even senior West Ham officials — including, especially, Nate.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2023

There it was again, that mysterious smile, sad and supercilious at the same time.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke