supersede

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for supersede, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To take the place of something older or less effective, so that the earlier version is no longer used or valid.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

replace succeed

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

override

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

supplant displace oust

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To take the place of something older or less effective, so that the earlier version is no longer used or valid.

“This policy supersedes all previous guidance issued by the department.”

replace supplant displace succeed override

Opposites

continue perpetuate

2. verb

To take over a position or role from someone, especially by being appointed in their place.

“She was superseded as head of the department after only a year.”

succeed oust supplant

How to use supersede

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

supersedes all previous has been superseded superseded by superseding legislation

Formal; common in legal, administrative and technical writing.

Etymology

From Latin supersedere "to sit above, preside over, refrain from", from super- "above" and sedere "to sit".

Full origin of supersede →

Frequently asked questions

Is it supersede or supercede?

Supersede is the correct spelling. "Supercede" is a very common error, produced by analogy with precede, recede and concede — but this word comes from Latin sedere, "to sit", not cedere, "to go", so it takes an s.

What is the difference between supersede and replace?

Replace is neutral: anything can replace anything. Supersede implies that the new thing is later and takes formal precedence, making the old one obsolete or invalid. Documents, laws and technologies are superseded; a broken part is simply replaced.

What is the difference between supersede and supplant?

Supersede suggests orderly succession — the new version officially takes over. Supplant carries a hint of displacement by force or cunning, often against the will of the thing being pushed aside.

People also searched

continue replace succeed override perpetuate oust displace supplant

Nearby words

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