superior vs high-ranking

superior is a noun but high-ranking is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
superior	Yes	Yes	No	No
high-ranking	No	Yes	No	No

superior (noun)	high-ranking (noun)
a character or symbol set or printed or written above and immediately to one side of another character
one of greater rank or station or quality
the head of a religious community
a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

superior (adjective)	high-ranking (adjective)
written or printed above and to one side of another character	at an elevated level in rank or importance
of or characteristic of high rank or importance
of high or superior quality or performance
having an orbit farther from the sun than the Earth's orbit
(sometimes followed by `to') not subject to or influenced by
having a higher rank
(often followed by `to') above being affected or influenced by