OBSOLETE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'obsolete' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of obsolete are ancient , antiquated , antique , archaic , old , and venerable . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence. // a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

Q: When could 'ancient' be used to replace 'obsolete'?

The synonyms ancient and obsolete are sometimes interchangeable, but ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. // ancient accounts of dragons

Q: Where would 'antiquated' be a reasonable alternative to 'obsolete'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obsolete , antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: In what contexts can 'antique' take the place of 'obsolete'?

The words antique and obsolete can be used in similar contexts, but antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. // collected antique Chippendale furniture

Q: When is 'archaic' a more appropriate choice than 'obsolete'?

In some situations, the words archaic and obsolete are roughly equivalent. However, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. // the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

Q: When might 'old' be a better fit than 'obsolete'?

Although the words old and obsolete have much in common, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

Q: When would 'venerable' be a good substitute for 'obsolete'?

The meanings of venerable and obsolete largely overlap; however, venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

obsolete

adjective

ˌäb-sə-ˈlēt

Definition of obsolete next

as in archaic

having passed its time of use or usefulness I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts

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How does the adjective obsolete differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of obsolete are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When could ancient be used to replace obsolete?

The synonyms ancient and obsolete are sometimes interchangeable, but ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

Where would antiquated be a reasonable alternative to obsolete?

While in some cases nearly identical to obsolete, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

In what contexts can antique take the place of obsolete?

The words antique and obsolete can be used in similar contexts, but antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than obsolete?

In some situations, the words archaic and obsolete are roughly equivalent. However, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When might old be a better fit than obsolete?

Although the words old and obsolete have much in common, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When would venerable be a good substitute for obsolete?

The meanings of venerable and obsolete largely overlap; however, venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Examples of obsolete in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And an obsolete supermarket finds new life under the floating curved roof. —

Adam Williams, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2024 However, Apple’s AirPods won’t immediately make other hearing aids obsolete. —

Kif Leswing, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2024 Leaders who do not keep up with these changes risk becoming obsolete. —

Kumar Raghvendra, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 People do like screens and close-ups, which make opera glasses obsolete. —

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obsolete

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obsolete.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.