supersede

verb su·per·sede \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsēd \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: supersede in a Sentence

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superseded; superseding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

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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 Studies that are wrong will be superseded by better studies with different results.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The ancient human carriers of information and understanding—elders, priests, bards, teachers, and community members—are superseded by a more durable and efficient medium, the printed word.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Former stars were being superseded by younger actors.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

According to the superseding indictment, a rival to Adidas in the athletic apparel world sponsored this particular college.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Why Maryland Receiving FBI Subpoenas Should Worry Other College Programs, Basketball Players," 7 July 2018
For Bitcoin fanatics, the original blockchain was a way to create a currency that could circumvent and eventually supersede central banks.

— New York Times, "A Field Guide to the Hurdles Facing Blockchain Adoption," 27 June 2018
Although Libertyville can create variances for zoning issues, certain building codes are mandated by superseding governments and can’t be given special considerations.

— rick kambic, chicagotribune.com, "Libertyville reaches compromise on flood prevention zoning change," 18 June 2018
Since the initial indictment, Gates and others have struck plea deals with Mueller, while new charges have been piled on Manafort in superseding indictments.

— NBC News, "Mueller hits Paul Manafort with new charges, indicts Russian Konstantin Kilimnik," 8 June 2018
In theory, Flores could be superseded at any time by DHS regulations — it wasn’t supposed to be a de facto law, just a framework to keep in place while the government came up with permanent rules to ensure migrant kids were adequately protected.

— dara lind, Vox, "Flores agreement: Trump’s executive order to end family separation might run afoul of a 1997 court ruling," 20 June 2018
Joshua Adam Schulte, 29, was charged in a 13-count superseding indictment on Monday, about 10 months after he was first arrested on charges of possession of child pornography, federal officials said in New York.

— david glovin, Bloomberg.com, "Former CIA Employee Indicted in Leak of Classified U.S. Secrets," 19 June 2018
For Beyonce, the gesture or the theatricality of staging supersedes the political.

— jonny coleman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: Beyonce Makes Jay-Z Better on Surprise Couples-Therapy Album 'Everything Is Love'," 18 June 2018
Last week, special counsel Robert Mueller's office filed a superseding indictment against Manafort, accusing him of, among other things, tampering with key witnesses shortly after charges were filed against him last fall.

— luke darby, GQ, "Paul Manafort, the Campaign Manager Trump Barely Remembers, Is Headed to Jail," 15 June 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.