supersede

verb

su·per·sede | \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsēd

superseded; superseding

Definition of supersede

transitive verb

1a : 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

Other Words from supersede Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about supersede

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 Studies that are wrong will be superseded by better studies with different results.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ancient human carriers of information and understanding—elders, priests, bards, teachers, and community members—are superseded by a more durable and efficient medium, the printed word.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 Former stars were being superseded by younger actors.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

American poets of the 19th century wondered if they had been superseded by prose. — Stephanie Burt, WSJ, "There’s a Poem for Every Reader," 8 June 2019 Justices ruled 4-1 that a 1937 law delineating rights for hourly workers—but deliberately excluding farmworkers—was superseded by a 1938 amendment to the state Constitution. — Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, "New York Court Rules Farmworkers Can Unionize," 23 May 2019 This may require superseding current WTO rules, and that is best accomplished with a united front that includes the world’s other major trading powers. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Missing China Trade Strategy," 18 Sep. 2018 If Trump fires Sessions and puts a new attorney general in place, he or she wouldn’t be recused from the Russia probe and would supersede Rosenstein in overseeing Mueller’s investigation. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Trump Isn’t an Army of One," 19 Mar. 2018 Aerion spokesman Jeff Miller said the new agreement with Boeing supersedes that MOU. — Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, "Boeing invests in advanced supersonic business jet," 5 Feb. 2019 In any case, the U.K. couldn’t unilaterally leave the customs area unless it was superseded by a new trade agreement or technological advances that made a physical border unnecessary. — Max Colchester, WSJ, "U.K.’s May Gets Cabinet’s Go-Ahead on Brexit Deal," 14 Nov. 2018 Last month, federal prosecutors charged suspected gunman Robert Bowers with 63 counts in a superseding indictment, including federal hate crimes. — Kris Maher, WSJ, "After Synagogue Attack, Pittsburgh’s Push for Stricter Gun Laws Sparks Backlash," 11 Feb. 2019 Would he be disgusted to see data and algorithms superseding human guts, dedication, and grit? — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "What Happened When I Trained With Air Force Human Performance Specialists," 12 Feb. 2019

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.