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   The success of the vaccine superseded the necessity of a smallpox hospital, and the enterprise was abandoned almost as soon as conceived.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

Pointing to Trump’s two impeachments, Kagan suggests that “party loyalty has superseded branch loyalty, and never more so than in the Trump era.”

From Salon

Smith filed a superseding indictment against Trump, which maintained the same four counts, in August that sought to avoid immunity battles by removing allegations about the then-president's communications with White House officials.

From Salon

Federal prosecutors said early this month that Combs may face a superseding indictment that would open the door to more charges for Combs and possibly other defendants.

From Los Angeles Times

The superseding document amends and replaces the original indictment.

From Los Angeles Times

Emily Johnson initially said three weeks, but then cautioned that there could be a superseding indictment on the horizon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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