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having passed its time of use or usefulness I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts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 More than half of federal prison facilities were built before 1991 and many are becoming outmoded or obsolete, the agency said. —

Michael R. Sisak and Michael Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024 Static risk assessments quickly become obsolete in today's fast-moving business environment. —

Adam Ennamli, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 The design of the gun is consistent with the mid-to-late 1400s and was practically obsolete by the time of the expedition, according to Seymour and Mapoles. —

Christopher Cann, The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2024 County officials began planning the facility in 2019 to replace its obsolete processing plant at the landfill. —

Ryan Gillespie, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obsolete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolete

Adjective

Kyiv has been struggling to boost military recruitment, stiffen its forces’ defensive earthworks, reform archaic command staffs and boost the output of Ukrainian arms factories.

David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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