OBSOLESCENCE Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

obsolescence

noun

Definition of obsolescence

as in obsoleteness

the condition of no longer being used or useful; the condition of being obsolete the obsolescence of the old technology Once a useful tool, slide rules have fallen into obsolescence.

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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 obsolescence Concerns about the software industry’s obsolescence fueled a massive sell-off earlier this year as investors bet AI agents would crush the sector’s business models. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Each state has its own system, and many are rickety or verging on obsolescence. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 That same month, the Roundhill HALO ETF, which focuses on high-asset, low-obsolescence stocks as a diversification strategy from AI, purchased shares of Casey’s, marking the fund’s sole convenience store investment. — Norah Rami, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 The White Worm, who styled herself as a peacetime consigliere, is reduced to obsolescence by the promise of all-out war. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsolescence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolescence

Noun

In antiquity, Rome’s aqueducts and China’s canals and flood-control works were the pipelines of centuries of hegemony.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
The Kennedy Center has long been home to hundreds of unique works of art and antiquities, including sculptures and tapestries, donated or loaned by individual benefactors and other countries, CNN notes.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of antiquity

Noun

Current facial recognition systems, originally developed for photographs, can compare faces despite differences in pose, lighting, expression, age, and image quality.

— Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Other foldables do this too — Samsung and Google and Huawei have been pushing the envelope of gadget-y smartphones for ages — but Apple’s played it so safe for so long that the Duo is legitimately surprising.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of age

Browse Nearby Words

obsess (over)

obsolescence

obsolescent

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Style

“Obsolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolescence. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obsolescence

noun

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