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superseded; superseding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 Studies that are wrong will be superseded by better studies with different results.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ancient human carriers of information and understanding—elders, priests, bards, teachers, and community members—are superseded by a more durable and efficient medium, the printed word.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 Former stars were being superseded by younger actors.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

Most other North County cities have passed local ordinances that supersede the state’s new marijuana laws, and prohibit the commercial cultivation and sale of medical and recreational marijuana. — Phil Diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Oceanside gives final OK to medical marijuana; to revisit dispensaries," 12 Apr. 2018 But it's being superseded by another, more confident nationalist narrative, one based in reasserting China's historical primacy. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "China’s inexorable rise is helped by Trump’s retreat," 11 Jan. 2018 All of which is superseded, of course, by not being such a drama queen cowboy, cooling your jets, and calling the cops instead. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "How to Shoot Down a Drone," 6 Aug. 2015 The most current version of these Terms will supersede all previous versions. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Union-Tribune Terms of Service," 25 June 2018 That would supersede a 1997 legal settlement, reinforced by a 2015 court ruling, that allow children to be held in detention for no more than 20 days. — Emily Cadei, sacbee, "Feinstein working with Republicans to reach family separation compromise," 21 June 2018 According to court documents, Manafort reached out to would-be witnesses in February after his superseding indictment was unsealed. — Andrew O'reilly, Fox News, "Manafort mugshot revealed after he's moved to new jail," 13 July 2018 The court said San Francisco officials had gotten permission to move forward with the project under federal statute, which superseded state law. — Kurtis Alexander, SFChronicle.com, "The battle over Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in judges’ hands," 30 May 2018 Congress is working on its own robot-car law, the AV Start Act, S. 1885, which could supersede California rules. — Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, "California green-lights cars without drivers," 26 Feb. 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.