as in archaic
having passed its time of use or usefulness
that literary style is a bit passé nowadays
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Recent Examples of passé
Across social media, we’re told drinking plain water is passe, subpar, and incredibly basic.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Cranston got himself the exact same watch because friendship bracelets are so passe.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2024
But these days, many of the traditional Olympic sports are beginning to feel passe to a younger generation.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 July 2024
But these days, many of the traditional Olympic sports are beginning to feel passe to a younger generation.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024
That meant a dozen roses was passe and cottage-bohemian aesthetic arrangements were in.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 30 May 2024
Do’s and don’ts The bubble-gum pink of the ’60s is passe.
—Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
The idea of teaching classics in college is now passe.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2023
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Cranston got himself the exact same watch because friendship bracelets are so passe.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2024
But these days, many of the traditional Olympic sports are beginning to feel passe to a younger generation.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 July 2024
But these days, many of the traditional Olympic sports are beginning to feel passe to a younger generation.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024
That meant a dozen roses was passe and cottage-bohemian aesthetic arrangements were in.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 30 May 2024
Do’s and don’ts The bubble-gum pink of the ’60s is passe.
—Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
The idea of teaching classics in college is now passe.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passé
Adjective
-
Yet university leaders have spoken optimistically about the future, bolstered by its new membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), its coaching staff and a $25 million renovation of its archaic football stadium.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But while the word’s general usage sounds more than a little archaic in the 21st century, its application to a particular kind of deceit prohibited in war remains active law.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The slogans that once trumpeted hustle culture now feel dated and frankly a little embarrassing.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
What used to feel clean and crisp now feels sterile and dated.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As for makeup, Jenner went with peachy tones, glamming up with pink cheeks, orange eyeshadow, luminous skin, and a rusty lip.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The long layoff leaves teams sluggish and rusty, especially on offense, when facing opponents that played 10 days earlier in the opening round.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Other job training groups at the time also saw their training becoming obsolete.—
Michael Bernick,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
While there’s been a massive build-out of satellites for telecommunications, defense and climate monitoring, the equipment for controlling and communicating with them is aging and becoming obsolete.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passé.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pass%C3%A9. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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