obsolete

adjective

ˌäb-sə-ˈlēt How to pronounce obsolete (audio)
Definition of obsoletenext
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having passed its time of use or usefulness I was told my old printer is obsolete and I can't get replacement parts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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 An ascending spiral of social change was rendering structures inherited from the industrial revolution obsolete. — Henry De Sio, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 Recent highs have easily blown past 47 degrees Celsius, rendering existing guidelines obsolete even as emissions from human activity continue to drive global temperatures higher. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 Newsom said the state tracker is the first of its kind in the nation as California companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have exploded in growth and simultaneously warned that their products could render most white-collar jobs obsolete. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026 The professors were bitter and angry—angry at a university, a state, and a country where their fields of study were regarded as obsolete, useful only for padding the schedules of STEM students or as a backstop for STEM burnouts. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsolete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolete
  1. archaic
  2. antiquated
  3. medieval
Adjective
  • The Spanish is archaic, the intonations are complicated, and the words tumble over themselves like a hard charge toward the goal posts.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
  • For golf cart operators, that evolution absolutely begins by ditching archaic lead-acid relics engineered for a bygone era.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of archaic
Adjective
  • By wrapping antiquated infrastructure in agentic interfaces, these workers can unlock near-native operational efficiency without a risky, catastrophic core system overhaul.
    — Barney Krishnan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • But what, exactly, is that robot doing watching fireworks next to a little boy and a man in antiquated garb?
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • Enter Peskesi and the dozens of regenerative and natural wineries scattered across the southwest of Crete near quiet, picturesque Chania, which form its wine trail, a range from medieval-palace tasting rooms to sprawling vineyard operations.
    — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • Not many estates can claim to have a 1,000-year-old medieval tower in the backyard, but that’s exactly what anchors this historic property in the heart of Tuscany’s renowned Chianti wine region.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 July 2026
Definition of medieval

Browse Nearby Words

obsolescent
obsolete
obsoleteness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obsolete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolete. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obsolete

Nglish: Translation of obsolete for Spanish Speakers

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