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I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts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
• useless
• outmoded
• outdated
• prehistoric
• dated
• out-of-date
• expired
• old
• rusty
• discarded
• prehistorical
• defunct
• outworn
• neolithic
• ancient
• moribund
• superannuated
• mediaeval
• antique
• fossilized
• passé
• aging
• Stone Age
• mossy
• unusable
• obsolescent
• vintage
• kaputt
• historical
• extinct
• dead
• historic
• démodé
• late
• ageing
• unworkable
• retro
• kaput
• disused
• moth-eaten
• vanished
• demoded
• inoperable
• Noachian
• inoperative
• aged
• venerable
• past
• inert
• free
• inactive
• idle
• fusty
• antediluvian
• former
• latent
• dormant
• old-fashioned
• fallow
• musty
• erstwhile
• old-time
• bygone
• hoary
• 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

For example, the region’s aging public school facilities are increasingly obsolete, unable to teach a 21st-century education. —Paul Goldman, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2025

Server racks house obsolete coaxial cable boxes, displayed as if in a museum, next to today’s fiber-optic boxes. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Aug. 2025

Dynamic, Self-Evolving Customer Journeys Static journey maps are quickly becoming obsolete as customer journeys grow more fluid, stretching across devices, time zones and emotional states. —Asif Hasan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

This rule, Grimsley says, is designed to be adaptable, and be able to shift with the pace of technology—a recognition that when regulation and approvals take too long, the technology at issue risks becoming obsolete by the time it can be implemented. —Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025