Supersede Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 5, 2024
Supersede means to replace something, especially something older or less efficient, with a newer or more effective version. e.g., The new tax law will supersede all previous statutes.
Table of Contents
Supersede Definitions
To set aside or cause to be set aside as void, useless, or obsolete, usually in favor of something mentioned.
The latest software update superseded all earlier versions.
To make something previously considered important or authoritative less so.
New scientific discoveries supersede old theories.
To take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); replace.
The new manager superseded the old one.
To surpass in power, efficiency, or importance.
Renewable energy sources are beginning to supersede traditional fossil fuels.
To displace or replace by another thing that is newer or more valued.
Digital downloads have superseded CDs in music distribution.
To override or overrule; to render irrelevant or inoperative.
The federal laws supersede the state laws in many cases.
To annul, cancel, or revoke by a later action or a higher authority.
The new court ruling supersedes the previous judgment.
To succeed to the position, function, or role of.
The prince will supersede the king when he abdicates.
To outclass or make obsolete by being more efficient or effective.
Smartphones have largely superseded flip phones.
To ascend to a position or role that surpasses that of another.
She quickly superseded her colleagues to become the lead project manager.
To take the place of; replace or supplant
"[Dean] Acheson's conversion, that military force should supersede diplomatic response as the core of U.S. foreign policy, would reverberate across generations" (James Carroll).
To take the place of (a person), as in an office or position; succeed.
(transitive) To take the place of.
Those older products have been superseded by our new range.
(transitive) To displace in favour of itself.
Modern US culture has superseded the native forms.
(Internet) An updated newsgroup post that supersedes an earlier version.
Rogue cancels and supersedes are being issued on a large scale against posters.
To come, or be placed, in the room of; to replace.
To displace, or set aside, and put another in place of; as, to supersede an officer.
To make void, inefficacious, or useless, by superior power, or by coming in the place of; to set aside; to render unnecessary; to suspend; to stay.
Nothing is supposed that can supersede the known laws of natural motion.
To omit; to forbear.
Take the place or move into the position of;
Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left
The computer has supplanted the slide rule
Mary replaced Susan as the team's captain and the highest-ranked player in the school
Supersede Snonyms
Override
To prevail over something.
New guidelines will override the old ones.
Overtake
To become more important or prominent than something else.
Streaming services have overtaken cable TV in popularity.
Replace
To take the place of something.
Digital downloads have replaced CDs.
Displace
To move something from its usual place.
Online stores are displacing traditional retail outlets.
Outstrip
To surpass in performance or capacity.
Demand has outstripped supply.
Eclipse
To overshadow; to surpass.
His recent work eclipses all his earlier novels.
Usurp
To take the place of (someone or something) unjustly.
The new system usurped the old databases.
Succeed
To come after and take the place of.
The queen's successor will succeed her on the throne.
Supplant
To supersede and replace.
Smartphones have supplanted traditional phones.
Outmode
To make unfashionable or obsolete.
New technologies outmode older ones rapidly.
Supersede Idioms & Phrases
Supersede expectations
To exceed what was anticipated or predicted.
The success of the project superseded all expectations.
Supersede the norm
To go beyond the usual standards or practices.
Her innovative design superseded the norm in architecture.
Supersede and proceed
To replace something and move forward with the new.
The team decided to supersede the old strategy and proceed with a new one.
Supersede in importance
To become more important than something else.
Safety concerns supersede convenience in this case.
Supersede one's authority
To override or surpass someone's power or control.
The federal government can supersede the state's authority in certain matters.
Supersede without contest
To replace something without any objection or competition.
The new rules were superseded without contest.
Supersede the old ways
To replace outdated practices or ideas.
The new teaching methods supersede the old ways.
Supersede by default
To replace something because it failed or was not available.
The backup plan superseded by default when the original plan fell through.
Supersede with ease
To replace something without difficulty or resistance.
The new software superseded the old system with ease.
Supersede the competition
To outperform or replace competitors.
The company's new product has superseded the competition.
Supersede in efficiency
To replace something by being more efficient.
New energy-efficient appliances supersede older models in efficiency.
To supersede oneself
To surpass or outdo one's previous achievements or status.
The author's latest book supersedes all her previous works.
Supersede from memory
To be forgotten or replaced in one's memory.
The details of the old policy have been superseded from memory.
Supersede the precedent
To replace or set aside a previous example or standard.
The recent verdict supersedes the precedent set by earlier cases.
To be superseded by technology
To be replaced or made obsolete by technological advancements.
Many manual jobs have been superseded by technology.
Supersede under pressure
To replace something as a result of demand or stress.
The urgent need for innovation superseded under pressure.
Let technology supersede
Allowing technological advances to replace old methods.
The company let technology supersede manual processes.
Supersede by agreement
To replace something through mutual consent.
The new contract superseded the old one by agreement.
Supersede by innovation
To replace something through creative or novel solutions.
Electric cars are beginning to supersede by innovation.
Supersede one’s expectations
To go beyond what someone thought possible.
The athlete's performance superseded everyone’s expectations.
Supersede Example Sentences
The board decided to supersede the old regulations with new ones.
The new version of the app will supersede the one currently in use.
His innovative approach quickly superseded the traditional methods.
The invention of the car superseded the use of horse-drawn carriages.
The latest research supersedes previous studies on the subject.
Online streaming services are superseding cable television.
The recent policy update supersedes all prior guidelines on the matter.
Wireless internet has superseded wired connections in most households.
The company's new product line will supersede its older models.
Digital records are superseding paper files in most offices.
The Supreme Court's decisions supersede those of lower courts.
Electric vehicles are expected to supersede gasoline-powered cars eventually.
Modern technology often supersedes the need for manual labor.
The teacher's new syllabus supersedes the one from last semester.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called supersede?
Supersede is called so because it derives from Latin words 'super' (above) and 'sedere' (to sit), literally meaning 'to sit above,' signifying to replace or take the place of something.
What is a stressed syllable in supersede?
The stressed syllable in supersede is the second one: su-PER-sede.
How is supersede used in a sentence?
Supersede is used to denote the act of replacing something with a newer or more effective version. e.g., The new guidelines supersede the older regulations.
What is the first form of supersede?
The first (base) form of supersede is "supersede."
How do we divide supersede into syllables?
Supersede is divided into syllables as su-per-sede.
What is the second form of supersede?
The second form (simple past) of supersede is "superseded."
What is the root word of supersede?
The root of supersede comes from the Latin 'supersedere,' meaning 'to sit above,' with 'super' meaning 'above' and 'sedere' meaning 'to sit.'
How many syllables are in supersede?
Supersede has three syllables.
What is the verb form of supersede?
Supersede itself is a verb. Its forms are: present simple - supersedes, past simple - superseded, and present participle - superseding.
What part of speech is supersede?
Supersede is a verb.
What is the pronunciation of supersede?
Supersede is pronounced as /suːˈpɜːr.siːd/.
Is supersede a vowel or consonant?
The term "supersede" starts with a consonant.
Is the supersede term a metaphor?
The term supersede is not inherently a metaphor, but it can be used metaphorically in certain contexts.
Which determiner is used with supersede?
Determiners are not typically used with verbs like supersede. The use of a determiner would depend on the noun associated with the verb in a sentence.
What is the third form of supersede?
The third form (past participle) of supersede is also "superseded."
What is the opposite of supersede?
The opposite of supersede could be retain, maintain, or preserve.
Is supersede an adverb?
No, supersede is not an adverb.
Is supersede a negative or positive word?
Supersede is neutral; its positive or negative connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
Is supersede a collective noun?
No, supersede is not a noun; it is a verb.
Is the word supersede imperative?
Supersede can be used in the imperative mood when giving a command or instruction, e.g., "Supersede the current protocol."
What is another term for supersede?
Another term for supersede is replace.
What is the plural form of supersede?
As a verb, supersede does not have a plural form, but it changes form based on the tense and subject.
Is the word supersede Gerund?
Yes, when used in its -ing form (superseding), it functions as a gerund, which is a verb form that acts as a noun.
Is the word “supersede” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Supersede is a verb and thus cannot be a direct or indirect object; however, it can have direct or indirect objects in a sentence.
Which vowel is used before supersede?
The use of a vowel before supersede depends on the article or preposition that precedes it in a sentence, not on the word itself.
Which preposition is used with supersede?
Prepositions used with supersede can vary, such as "by" in "superseded by" or "in" in specific contexts.
Which article is used with supersede?
As a verb, supersede does not directly take an article. Articles are used with nouns.
Is supersede an abstract noun?
No, supersede is not a noun; it is a verb.
Which conjunction is used with supersede?
Conjunctions used with supersede depend on the sentence structure, e.g., "and" in a list or "but" in a contrast.
What is the singular form of supersede?
Supersede does not have a singular or plural form as it is a verb; its usage depends on the subject it is associated with.
Is supersede a noun or adjective?
Supersede is a verb.
Is supersede a countable noun?
Supersede is not a noun; it is a verb and therefore is not classified as countable or uncountable.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
