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 And as American tastes turned toward bigger and bigger vehicles in the early 2000s, the petite Ranger pickup produced in St. Paul became obsolete. Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2025 Earbuds have become the pedestrian’s car stereo, a kind of acoustic Bubble Wrap shielding us from noise or chatter or insults and makes obsolete a once-fundamental New York experience: the casual interaction. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 25 Apr. 2025 For more than a dozen smaller properties that are close to being obsolete, the report suggests Bloomfield consider tax incentives to get owners to modernize or even redevelop their properties. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2025 To avoid becoming obsolete, traditional media companies should embrace courageous content. Marcus Cobb, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for obsolete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolete
Adjective
  • His work in building the Augment MBA program is a response to a problem many business schools don’t recognize: the risk of over-reliance on archaic frameworks instead of education in service of action.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Federal efforts would be better spent intervening, even by use of a consent decree, to dismantle an education system that locks poor, overwhelmingly minority students in archaic education bureaucracies based on their income and ZIP code.
    Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • In an effort to address some of those worries, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced plans to overhaul the antiquated telecommunications, radio and surveillance systems.
    Vanessa Romo, NPR, 14 May 2025
  • Leaks from this antiquated sewer system are polluting Rock Creek and threaten the public health of all those who come in contact with it.
    Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The tradition of the funeral procession actually dates back to Ancient Egypt (maybe even earlier!), and spans throughout the Greco-Roman empire, the medieval age, the Renaissance, and continues to modern day.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • After being updated by Patel, the script combines medieval knights with feudal India.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obsolete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolete. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obsolete

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