Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obsolete differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of obsolete are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When could ancient be used to replace obsolete?

The synonyms ancient and obsolete are sometimes interchangeable, but ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

Where would antiquated be a reasonable alternative to obsolete?

While in some cases nearly identical to obsolete, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

In what contexts can antique take the place of obsolete?

The words antique and obsolete can be used in similar contexts, but antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than obsolete?

In some situations, the words archaic and obsolete are roughly equivalent. However, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When might old be a better fit than obsolete?

Although the words old and obsolete have much in common, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When would venerable be a good substitute for obsolete?

The meanings of venerable and obsolete largely overlap; however, venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Example Sentences

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 obsolete Mastery of a particular model’s API or a set of prompting techniques can become obsolete in a matter of months. Marco Argenti, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 This isn’t to say that Hawes will make Knox and Kincaid obsolete on offense in 2025, or maybe even 2026. Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 And so the Met’s general manager, the nimbly opportunistic Peter Gelb, recently struck a $100 million deal with Saudi Arabia to supply Riyadh’s new opera house with three weeks’ worth of performances each year and a dose of possibly obsolete cachet. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 The world right now, and technology, are working hard to make people who create things obsolete. Allaire Nuss, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obsolete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolete
Adjective
  • As gaming becomes a more mainstream activity, however, these stereotypes grow more archaic, and a new study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that the universal image of a gamer as a lonely young male is not just outdated, but inaccurate.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In the early nineties, the halcyon days of mountain biking, a cadre of American cyclists competed all over the world on these glorious if archaic machines.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That outlook feels askew and antiquated.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
  • By the end, the old Wembley was best viewed from a distance — ideally 15 or 20 years’ distance as the crumbling concrete and antiquated facilities meant the Empire Stadium belonged in the same bygone era as its official name.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After twenty-four hours of chaos, the gang of Israeli settlers exited the library’s medieval arches for good.
    Ryan Byrnes, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Nestled on a 130-acre property outside of Roccalbegna, a medieval Tuscan village sandwiched between rocky cliffs, an old stone house looks like something out of a dream.
    Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obsolete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolete. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obsolete

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