as in obsoleteness
the condition of no longer being used or useful; the condition of being obsolete
the obsolescence of the old technology Once a useful tool, slide rules have fallen into obsolescence.
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Recent Examples of obsolescence
Designed for obsolescence, Smarty Pants and his friends — Atlas (Craig Robinson), a talking GPS, and Snappy (Shelby Rabara), a toddler’s first camera — measure their lifespan in months, not years.
—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
These characters have been grappling with fears of obsolescence since 1995.
—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Today’s questions come from Ian Bogost’s essay in the July issue of The Atlantic—about the grand history of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet and, now, its final descent into obsolescence.
—
Drew Goins,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
The movies deal with the specter of obsolescence — but also its happy twin, rebirth.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsolescence
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
These characters have been grappling with fears of obsolescence since 1995.
—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Today’s questions come from Ian Bogost’s essay in the July issue of The Atlantic—about the grand history of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet and, now, its final descent into obsolescence.
—
Drew Goins,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
The movies deal with the specter of obsolescence — but also its happy twin, rebirth.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsolescence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsolescence
Noun
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Last year, the NCMM received 113 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands—the largest single return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British looting, according to the commission.
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Priceless artifacts stolen from these temples would then end up in the hands of unscrupulous antiquities dealers.
Noun
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In fact, research shows that when given the choice, on-site work remains the least popular option across every age range according to Gallup.
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Perfect for children ages 3-5, the event starts by reading Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.
Cite this Entry
“Obsolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsolescence. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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