supersede

[ soo-per-seed ]

verb (used with object)

, su·per·sed·ed, su·per·sed·ing.

1. to replace in power, authority, effectiveness, acceptance, use, etc., as by another person or thing.
2. to set aside or cause to be set aside as void, useless, irrelevant, or obsolete, usually in consideration of something mentioned:

   The success of the vaccine superseded the necessity of a smallpox hospital, and the enterprise was abandoned almost as soon as conceived.

   Synonyms: rescind, revoke, annul, overrule, void

3. to succeed to the position, function, office, etc., of; supplant.

supersede

/ ˌsuːpəˈsiːdʒə; ˌsuːpəˈsiːd; ˌsuːpəˈsɛʃən /

verb

1. to take the place of (something old-fashioned or less appropriate); supplant
2. to replace in function, office, etc; succeed
3. to discard or set aside or cause to be set aside as obsolete or inferior

Derived Forms

• ˌsuperˈseder, noun
• supersedure, noun
• ˌsuperˈsedence, noun
• supersession, noun
• ˌsuperˈsedable, adjective

Other Words From

• su·per·sed·a·ble adjective
• su·per·sed·er noun
• un·su·per·sed·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supersede¹

First recorded in 1485–95; from Latin supersedēre “to sit above or upon, forbear,” equivalent to super- super- + sedēre “to sit”; sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of supersede¹

C15: via Old French from Latin supersedēre to sit above, from super- + sedēre to sit

Synonym Study

See replace.

Example Sentences

“It has been conclusively shown that you cannot overdose by touching or accidentally breathing in fentanyl, and it does not have magical powers that supersede the laws of science or nature,” he told The Times, adding that inaccurate information could “discourage people from aiding folks who may be experiencing an overdose.”

From Los Angeles Times

Male rage is misdirected at the wrong individuals and groups as it is processed through conspiracism and anti-intellectualism and manipulated by malign actors who are masters at gaming the algorithm and attention economy; facts and reality generally do not supersede or override the power of perception and emotions; joy and hope and calling people names such as “weird” are not effective strategies for stopping such destructive forces.

From Salon

The bonds of nationality, community and common decency were understood to supersede partisanship.

From Salon

Smith’s star power may supersede any concerns his bosses have about him wading into controversial issues outside of sports.

From Los Angeles Times

They flew to Washington to try to put pressure on Congress to enact federal legislation that would expand voting rights and supersede Texas’ own law, but ultimately their efforts failed.

From Slate

Related Words

• annul
• overrule
• repudiate
• set aside
• supplant
• usurp