obsolescent
Gradually falling away
Obsolescent describes something in the process of becoming obsolete—not yet outdated, but heading that way.
The term often applies to technology being overtaken by newer alternatives: Fax machines are obsolescent in most offices.
It captures the transitional state between current usefulness and eventual irrelevance.
Gradually decreasing in intensity
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
- deterioratingBecoming progressively worse
decaying · eroding · atrophying · degenerating · crumbling · weakening · dying · dwindling
Belonging to earlier times
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- superannuatedMade obsolete by age
- antiquatedOld and outdated
bygone · vintage · quaint · fusty · musty · old-world · time-worn · passé
Day yielding to darkness
- decommissionWithdraw from operational use
- retireCease employment permanently
- discontinueTo stop doing
- phase-outGradual discontinuation process
withdraw · supersede · replace · upgrade · end-of-life · deprecate · wind-down · grandfather
Prolonged disuse
- neglectFailure to provide care
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- mothballingPreserving while inactive
discontinuation · redundancy · supersession · displacement · retirement · nonuse · shelving · idleness
Provisional in-between phase
- liminalAt a threshold
- in-betweenOccupying middle position
- bridgingConnecting separated things
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
temporary · evolving · shifting · transitioning · intermediate · provisional · changeover · midstream
waning
Gradually decreasing in intensity
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
deteriorating · decaying · eroding · atrophying · degenerating · crumbling · weakening · dying · dwindling · receding
archaic
Belonging to earlier times
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- superannuatedMade obsolete by age
antiquated · bygone · vintage · quaint · fusty · musty · old-world · time-worn · passé · unfashionable
sunset
Day yielding to darkness
- decommissionWithdraw from operational use
- retireCease employment permanently
- discontinueTo stop doing
phase-out · withdraw · supersede · replace · upgrade · end-of-life · deprecate · wind-down · grandfather · legacy
desuetude
Prolonged disuse
- neglectFailure to provide care
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- dormancySuspended biological activity
mothballing · discontinuation · redundancy · supersession · displacement · retirement · nonuse · shelving · idleness · forgotten
interim
Provisional in-between phase
- liminalAt a threshold
- in-betweenOccupying middle position
- bridgingConnecting separated things
stopgap · temporary · evolving · shifting · transitioning · intermediate · provisional · changeover · midstream · cusp
obsolescentcurrent
Directed flow of charge
modern · up-to-date · contemporary · cutting-edge · state-of-the-art
obsolescentemerging
Coming into view
nascent · ascendant · burgeoning · up-and-coming · rising
- planned obsolescenceDeliberately shortened product lifespan
- built-in obsolescenceIntentional design for failure
- programmed obsolescenceIntentional limited product lifespan