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

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having passed its time of use or usefulness I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts

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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

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 The essential point is that the three designations have become obsolete in the wake of nineteenth-century social and economic developments, but for that very reason are associated with Jews. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 My book is about a cult of Silicon Valley billionaires who believe that in the 21st century, technology will make democracy obsolete. — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 When ATMs became widespread in the 1980s, many people assumed bank tellers would soon become obsolete. — Adam Schickling, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 Beyond removing obsolete features, the Project Zero team emphasizes the importance of faster patching times. — Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsolete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolete

Adjective

And the rest is public perception, which has shifted against what many Americans see as a dirty, archaic form of power generation.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Now, if the league would drop its archaic blackout rules, this would be a lot easier for everyone.

— Scott Powers, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of archaic

Adjective

The revisions by Takaichi's government to the antiquated law is meant to solidify the principle of the crucial imperial bloodline but pushes aside the emperor’s daughter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Viewed through a 2026 lens, this now antiquated process seems like a herculean undertaking, one that somehow worked.

— Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of antiquated

Adjective

Divination practices often use Tarot cards or the ogham alphabet, which was originally employed in early medieval Irish and Pictish inscriptions.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
StemRad engineers, though, figured dressing as a medieval knight doesn’t really get you all that much.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of medieval

Cite this Entry

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“Obsolete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolete. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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