The word "supercilious" is an adjective that describes someone who behaves or looks as though they think they are better than other people. It often involves a sense of arrogance or disdain towards others, especially those whom the person considers inferior or unworthy.
Imagine someone who looks down on others and acts like they are more important or smarter. When someone is supercilious, they might give you a sneering smile or speak in a way that suggests they think you are not good enough.
You can use "supercilious" to describe a person's attitude or behavior. It is often used in a negative context to highlight someone's arrogance.
In literature and more formal writing, you might encounter "supercilious" used to critique social behaviors, especially in discussions about class or power dynamics.
"Supercilious" primarily conveys arrogance and disdain, but it can also imply a kind of aloofness or detachment from the concerns of others.
While there aren’t direct idioms that use "supercilious," phrases like "looking down one's nose at someone" convey a similar meaning of disdain or superiority.
There aren't specific phrasal verbs associated with "supercilious," but you might use phrases like "look down on" or "think less of" to express similar ideas.