supersede

verb

ˌsü-pər-ˈsēd How to pronounce supersede (audio)
Definition of supersedenext
as in to replace
to take the place of that edition of the dictionary that you have has been superseded by a more recent one

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word supersede distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of supersede are displace, replace, and supplant. While all these words mean "to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another," supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

the new edition supersedes all previous ones

When is it sensible to use displace instead of supersede?

The synonyms displace and supersede are sometimes interchangeable, but displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

war had displaced thousands

When can replace be used instead of supersede?

While the synonyms replace and supersede are close in meaning, replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

replaced the broken window

Where would supplant be a reasonable alternative to supersede?

The meanings of supplant and supersede largely overlap; however, supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

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of supersede Someone opening an old document might notice the date or author and realize the contents have been superseded. — Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Ahmed, 42, and Suhail, 49, each were charged in the third superseding indictment with counts of wire fraud, embezzlement, kickback conspiracy and money laundering. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 Researchers generated hundreds of thousands of videos before the model was shut down and superseded by successive generations, Veo 2 and Veo 3, both of which were released to the public. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The 30-page superseding indictment accuses the couple of overseeing a system of political repression that relied on Venezuela's military, intelligence agencies and security forces to torture their opponents, silence dissidents and maintain power. — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supersede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supersede
replace
Verb
  • Two lasers replace hardware Optical frequency combs work much like rulers for light.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For Chisell, technology should never replace human responsibility.
    — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of replace

Browse Nearby Words

superscripts
supersede
superseded
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Cite this Entry

“Supersede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supersede. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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