OBSOLESCENT Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

obsolescent

adjective

Definition of obsolescent

as in obsolete

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of obsolescent To show how far things have progressed, the Reaper today is regarded as not only obsolescent, but a growing liability. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026 But there are also filmmakers who prize obsolescent technologies precisely for their apparent shortcomings. — Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026 In his State of Kazakhstan speech, Tokayev also announced that his country moving beyond the first commercial nuclear reactor to build one or two more to address energy shortage due to the obsolescent thermal power stations. — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 For example, its Navy went from 140 obsolescent ships in 2003 to 234 modern ships today. — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 But Randolph and Hastings always planned on video streaming rendering the DVD-by-mail service obsolescent once technology advanced to the point that watching movies and TV shows through internet connections became viable. — Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2023 My desktop collection of obsolescent chargers may not obviously connect me with the divine. — Britt Peterson, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolescent

Adjective

In the Wall Street Journal, James Lloyd Dusenbury recently argued that our political vocabulary, including communism and capitalism, is obsolete.

— Jason Thurlkill, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
While most Apple products stop receiving repairs or replacement parts after being added to the obsolete list, MacBooks may still receive battery replacements for up to 10 years after Apple stops selling them — if batteries are still available.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of obsolete

Adjective

The group is silent and still, reverently absorbing the mechanical chug of this nearly outmoded office machine like Hollywood Bowl-goers taking in Joshua Bell.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Personally, this idea that the woke nonsense is just an outmoded relic of the past is ridiculous.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of outmoded

Adjective

The antiquated federal code lacks any guidance for building these homes to withstand earthquakes, wildfires or tornadoes.

— Arindam Chowdhury, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Adopting techniques from classic-Hollywood style, cinematographers dusted off antiquated equipment, using tungsten bulbs instead of LEDs to create the low-key contrasts typical of the genre.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of antiquated

Adjective

In our era of incessant texting, the concept of these radio missives struck me as both archaic and romantic.

— Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The archaic legal restrictions restricting same-sex couples or unmarried women, for example, are acknowledged and adhered to, rather than being openly challenged or criticized.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of archaic

Adjective

Lebanon’s state electricity company is one of the country’s biggest sources of debt, hemorrhaging about $40 billion over the past decades with a bloated workforce and outdated infrastructure.

— Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
One possible reason is that safety professionals themselves are overextended, with too many sites to monitor and outdated sensors to monitor with.

— Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of outdated

Adjective

An agent acting on fragmented, out-of-date knowledge creates a decision problem at machine speed.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
There are glimmers of success in almost every advanced country, including the United States, at agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, which has finally begun to modernize its woefully out-of-date technology.

— Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of out-of-date

Adjective

Setting recent works among older ones is an effective element of LACMA’s overall plan to shed outworn hierarchies.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Perhaps that’s the legacy of outworn stereotypes about corruption or a lack of the type of political will that’s brought more rapid changes to corporate governance and sustainable investing standards in, for example, some Nordic countries.

— Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022

Definition of outworn

Adjective

Benefits beyond weight loss The drug semaglutide, which is sold as Wegovy and Ozempic, shows many of the same anti-aging benefits, according to new research from drugmaker Novo Nordisk.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Ragkun Retinol Collagen Cream Among the cream’s ingredients are retinol and collagen, the ultimate anti-aging duo.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of aging

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obsolescence

obsolescent

obsolete

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“Obsolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolescent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obsolescent

adjective

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