Supersede
New phones, contract clauses, and scientific models all retire their predecessors with this verb that people still misspell.
Learn This WordMeaning
To take the place of something older or less effective; to replace.
Memory trick
SUPER-SEDE: you sit above the old thing and replace it, and spell it with **sede**, not cede.
Examples
The new API will supersede the legacy endpoints next quarter.
Email did not supersede the phone, it complemented it.
Updated guidelines supersede all prior versions as of today.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin supersedere "to sit above, refrain from," from super- "above" + sedere "to sit." Modern sense influenced by "super-" + "cede."
Usage Notes
Standard spelling is supersede (with an "s"), not "supercede." Common in legal, technical, and policy writing.
Real-life contexts
Use in releases: "This version supersedes v2.3."
Use in policy: "This doc supersedes earlier guidance."
Use in debate: "Better data should supersede outdated assumptions."
Common Mistakes
Misspelling as "supercede" is a frequent error. Remember: supersede with an s.
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Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
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