Supersede ultimately derives from the Latin verb supersedēre, meaning "to sit on top of" (sedēre means "to sit"), "to be superior to," or "to refrain from," but it came to us through Scots Middle English, where it was rendered superceden and used in the sense of "to defer." It will come as no surprise that modern English speakers can be confused about how to spell this word—it sometimes turns up as supercede. In fact, some of the earliest records of the word in English show it spelled with a c. The s spelling has been the dominant choice since the 16th century, and while both spellings can be etymologically justified, supersede is now regarded as the "correct" version.
supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.
was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another
supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.
the new edition supersedes all previous ones
Example Sentences
Fortunately, the scientific enterprise has its own self-correcting mechanisms that eventually sort things out. Studies that are wrong will be superseded by better studies with different results. Studies that are right will be corroborated by other good studies. Harriet Hall, Skeptic, 2007The ancient human carriers of information and understanding—elders, priests, bards, teachers, and community members—are superseded by a more durable and efficient medium, the printed word. M. Rex Miller, The Millennium Matrix, 2004Upgrading America's too-old, too-slow telephone network, which took about a century to build, is a massive task. But if you believe predictions that the Internet will one day supersede the telephone as the world's primary means of communications, these companies will be road kill if they simply sit by the wayside. Bethany McLean, Fortune, 6 Dec. 1999 This edition supersedes the previous one. Former stars were being superseded by younger actors.
Recent Examples on the WebGiven the precedent of federal preemption, meaning federal laws trump state laws, Title VII protections will likely supersede any state rulings. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 27 July 2022 Upon execution, this Systemic Improvement Plan and Memorandum of Understanding will supersede the March 2020 Memorandum of Understanding between BPS and DESE including all Amendments thereto. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2022 Those kinds of things are the benefits of fishing that far supersede just how many trout or salmon or bonefish one catches. Andrew Weaver, Outside Online, 5 Mar. 2020 Charlie Robinson, general counsel for the UC system, said during the regents meeting Wednesday that the board chairman could supersede that authority. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The festival, as a temporary user of the park, does not have the standing to supersede that law and enforce its own ban. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2022 If a fetus can be regarded as a homicide victim under personhood laws, its rights can supersede those of the living, breathing person carrying it. Holly Thomas, CNN, 1 June 2022 With prospects for another collider to supersede it still decades away, the LHC is perhaps particle physicists’ best hope to discover what lies beyond the Standard Model. Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2022 And that enthusiasm can supersede any worry about the very real possibility of losing your entire investment.Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English (Scots) superceden to defer, from Middle French superceder, from Latin supersedēre to sit on top, refrain from, from super- + sedēre to sit — more at sit