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supersede

soo-per-SEED /ˌsuːpərˈsiːd/

verbC1GRETOEFLIELTS

Formal

To take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); to replace.

Implies replacement by something better or more advanced, often implying the new thing has rendered the old one unnecessary. It's not just a simple replacement, but an act of taking over due to superiority.

The story behind the word. "Supersede" comes from the Latin verb supersedere, which literally means "to sit above" or "to refrain from." It's a combination of super- (meaning "above") and sedere (meaning "to sit"). In its original sense, it meant to desist from something or to be superior. Over time, it evolved to mean taking the place of something, often by being superior or more powerful, effectively "sitting above" it.

Word relationships

replace: To take the place of.
supplant: To supersede and replace.
oust: To drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place.

precede: To come before (something) in time.
follow: To come after (something or someone) in order or sequence.
retain: To continue to have (something); keep possession of.

Commonly confused with

replace: "Supersede" implies that the new thing is better or more advanced, making the old one unnecessary. "Replace" can be a neutral exchange.

Word family

supersession (noun): the act of superseding.

Collocations

largely supersede
completely supersede
quickly supersede
supersede a law
supersede a technology

Example sentences

"The smartphone quickly superseded the flip phone as the dominant mobile device." Describing the evolution of mobile phones.
"New regulations will supersede the old ones, effective next month." Referring to changes in legal frameworks.
"The updated software is designed to supersede all previous versions." Explaining software updates.

Memory hook

"SUPER-SEED" – the new, "super" seed (idea/technology) grows and takes the place of the old one. Super seed

When not to use

Don't use "supersede" if something is merely replaced without any implication of the new item being superior or rendering the old one obsolete. For example, if you replace a broken chair with an identical new one, you simply "replaced" it, you didn't "supersede" it.

Fun facts

The Latin supersedere also gave us the word "supercilious," meaning haughty or disdainful, literally "raising one's eyebrow above" in disdain.

Related words

obsolete, deprecated

Explore more words

surpass, ascendancy, precede, successor, supremacy, predecessor