supersede

verb su·per·sede \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsēd \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of supersede

superseded; superseding

transitive verb

1 a : to cause to be set aside

b : to force out of use as inferior

2 : to take the place or position of

3 : to displace in favor of another

—

superseder

noun

See supersede defined for English-language learners

See supersede defined for kids

supersede was our Word of the Day on 10/10/2010. Hear the podcast!

Examples of supersede in a Sentence

Fortunately, the scientific enterprise has its own self-correcting mechanisms that eventually sort things out. Studies that are wrong will be superseded by better studies with different results. Studies that are right will be corroborated by other good studies. —Harriet Hall, Skeptic, 2007
The ancient human carriers of information and understanding—elders, priests, bards, teachers, and community members—are superseded by a more durable and efficient medium, the printed word. —M. Rex Miller, The Millennium Matrix, 2004
Upgrading America's too-old, too-slow telephone network, which took about a century to build, is a massive task. But if you believe predictions that the Internet will one day supersede the telephone as the world's primary means of communications, these companies will be road kill if they simply sit by the wayside. —Bethany McLean, Fortune, 6 Dec. 1999
This edition supersedes the previous one.
Former stars were being superseded by younger actors.

Recent Examples of supersede from the Web

Robinson was added in this week's sixth superseding indictment, after federal investigators found him with Green during Green's arrest in Houma.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "4 New Orleans men face gun and drug charges in heroin-dealing case," 4 May 2018
Whether Ollie’s personal contract with UConn supersedes the collective bargaining agreement could be a key issue to be resolved.

— dom amore, courant.com, "Kevin Ollie's Dispute With UConn Now In Hands Of Susan Herbst," 3 May 2018
Although dated and superseded by the Su-30 and Su-57 fighters, the Su-27 is more than adequate for dealing with aircraft without air-to-air combat capability, like the P-8A. Incidents such as this occur on a semi-regular basis.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russian Fighter Flies Within 20 Feet of U.S. Navy Jet," 2 May 2018
Kanye demonstrates the true potential of an artist and how creativity and innovation are gifts that supersede categorical limitations.

— megan armstrong, Billboard, "Meet the Childhood Friends Looking to Gamify the Music Industry With 'World Famous' Mobile App," 27 Apr. 2018
The deal could be superseded by higher and better offers.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Orexigen, seller of weight-loss drug Contrave, agrees to sale for $75 million," 23 Apr. 2018
Margolies and her lawyer, Marc Elias of Perkins Coie LLP in Washington, signed the agreement on March 20 — the same day prosecutors filed the superseding indictment against Smukler.

— andrew seidman, Philly.com, "Feds granted immunity to former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Margolies," 13 Apr. 2018
But motive isn’t always about free will; sometimes the Nina Gills of the world drive the action, supersede the motivation, in art as in life.

— elif batuman, The New Yorker, "A Public Defender’s Polyphonic Novel of Football and Social Justice," 30 Apr. 2018
This superseding indictment adds the economic espionage count against Shi and Liu, as well as the federal money laundering conspiracy count against Shi.

— jose r. gonzalez, Houston Chronicle, "Houston man indicted for 'vast criminal conspiracy' to aid China-owned companies," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supersede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of supersede

Middle English (Scots) superceden to defer, from Middle French superceder, from Latin supersedēre to sit on top, refrain from, from super- + sedēre to sit — more at sit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1654

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

supersede Synonyms

Synonyms

cut out, displace, displant, relieve, replace, substitute, supplant;

Related Words

preempt, usurp;

Synonym Discussion of supersede

replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another. replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

- replaced the broken window

displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

- war had displaced thousands

supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

- was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

- the new edition supersedes all previous ones

SUPERSEDE Defined for English Language Learners

supersede

verb

Definition of supersede for English Language Learners

: to take the place of (someone or something that is old, no longer useful, etc.) : to replace (someone or something)

SUPERSEDE Defined for Kids

supersede

verb su·per·sede \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsēd \

Definition of supersede for Students

superseded; superseding

: to take the place or position of

These instructions supersede those you received earlier.

Law Dictionary

supersede

transitive verb su·per·sede \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsēd \

legal Definition of supersede

superseded; superseding

1 : to subject to postponement or suspension; especially : to suspend the operation of (a judgment or order) by means of a supersedeas

2 : to take the place of in authority : preempt, override

3 : to take the place of and render null or ineffective

Learn More about supersede

See words that rhyme with supersede Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for supersede Spanish Central: Translation of supersede Nglish: Translation of supersede for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of supersede for Arabic speakers

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supersede

Definition of supersede

superseder

supersede was our Word of the Day on 10/10/2010. Hear the podcast!

Examples of supersede in a Sentence

Recent Examples of supersede from the Web

Origin and Etymology of supersede

supersede Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of supersede

SUPERSEDE Defined for English Language Learners

supersede

Definition of supersede for English Language Learners

SUPERSEDE Defined for Kids

supersede

Definition of supersede for Students

Law Dictionary

supersede

legal Definition of supersede

Learn More about supersede

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