Synonyms of obsolete

obsolete

adjective

ˌäb-sə-ˈlēt 

as in archaic

having passed its time of use or usefulness

I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• archaic
• antiquated
• medieval
• outmoded
• outdated
• rusty
• out-of-date
• useless
• prehistoric
• old
• extinct
• dated
• expired
• discarded
• defunct
• outworn
• moribund
• neolithic
• superannuated
• ancient
• fossilized
• passé
• antique
• Stone Age
• mossy
• obsolescent
• unusable
• aging
• démodé
• vintage
• historical
• dead
• unworkable
• historic
• kaput
• disused
• late
• moth-eaten
• demoded
• vanished
• inoperable
• Noachian
• retro
• inoperative
• venerable
• inert
• inactive
• past
• aged
• dormant
• idle
• fusty
• antediluvian
• latent
• free
• old-fashioned
• former
• fallow
• musty
• old-time
• bygone
• hoary
• erstwhile
• atavistic
• old-world
• age-old
• oldfangled
• dateless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• new
• current
• contemporary
• recent
• up-to-date
• present-day
• newfangled
• fresh
• modernized
• mod
• ultramodern
• new-fashioned
• operational
• functional
• up-to-the-minute
• workable
• operable
• operating
• active
• refurbished
• functioning
• renewed
• operative
• employed
• busy
• remodeled
• alive

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

Recent Examples of obsolete

Metcalf and Pullman are both wonderful in their shuffling ordinariness, reenacting long-obsolete parental dynamics with a kind of rueful, hopeful denial. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026

One of those predictions went viral this week, with HyperWrite CEO Matt Shumer posting a nearly 5,000-word screed about how the latest AI models have already made some tech jobs obsolete. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026

Our audience voted for the donkeys to enter the circus, at least until they were deemed obsolete and sent to detention centers, which felt uncomfortably of the moment. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Cell phones have built-in alarm clocks, making the need for a separate wake-up device obsolete. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026