OBSOLETE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

obsolete

adjective

ˌäb-sə-ˈlēt

Definition of obsolete next

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having passed its time of use or usefulness I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts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

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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

Examples 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 Read the full story by Rachel Dobkin on Newsweek. 07:54 AM EST Half of Russia's Airbus fleet now obsolete due to sanctions: Russian media Western sanctions have dried up the supply of spare parts for Russian airlines and grounded around half of the country's Airbus fleet. —

Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 Today’s most advanced AI programs remain rife with errors and prone to enabling the spread of falsehoods online, while stoking fears of rendering some people’s jobs obsolete. —

Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024 City documents showed the work is needed because some components of the plant's cooling infrastructure are outdated and costly to operate, while others are obsolete or no longer have replacement parts available. —

Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024 Parks & Recreation Director Terry Moore said one of the playground’s slides broke in April, and many parts needed to fix it were obsolete. —

Aaron Sullivan, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obsolete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolete

Adjective

Amos Hochstein, the charismatic U.S. envoy leading the ceasefire talks, has largely shied away from Lebanon’s archaic internal affairs and the question of the day after.

Firas Maksad, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024
And that’s because the U.S. has a strange and archaic way of selling wine.

Peter Green, Quartz, 18 Nov. 2024