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superannuated

adjective
su·​per·​an·​nu·​at·​ed | \ ˌsü-pər-ˈan-yə-ˌwā-təd How to pronounce superannuated (audio) \

Definition of superannuated

1 : outmoded, old-fashioned superannuated slang superannuated planes
2a : incapacitated or disqualified for active duty by advanced age
b : older than the typical member of a specified group a superannuated graduate student
Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about superannuated

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Did You Know?

Superannuated was first put to use in English in the 1600s, having been borrowed from Medieval Latin superannuatus, the past participle of "superannuari" ("to be too old") - from Latin super- ("over" or "above") and "annus" ("year"). Shortly thereafter, we made our own verb, "superannuate," from the adjective. Superannuate meant "to retire and pension because of age or infirmity as well as "to declare obsolete," meanings that are still in active service. "Superannuated" can mean "outmoded or old-fashioned," as in "superannuated slang" or "superannuated neckties," or it can simply mean "older than usual," as in our example sentence.

Examples of superannuated in a Sentence

a periodical that insists on using largely superannuated terms like “editress” and “aviatrix”

Recent Examples on the Web

 Mascherano had given the ball away repeatedly in the first half, and a vital presence for Argentina over the years who increasingly looks superannuated. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "From Elimination to Elation: Argentina Somehow Staves Off Early World Cup Exit," 26 June 2018 No superannuated Skywalker, marooned on his little island rock. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "“Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “How to Talk to Girls at Parties”," 4 June 2017 Everest has become an antidote to mid-life crises — a quotidian item on the bucket lists of superannuated dentists and CFOs. — Time, "The Ethics of Climbing Everest: Double Amputee Xia Boyu’s Feat Fuels Debates About Who Belongs on the Roof of the World," 3 Apr. 2018 Tiangong-1 itself was probably supposed to have been guided into the remote southern Pacific Ocean, the dumping site of choice for superannuated space hardware, in 2013. — The Economist, "An out-of-control Chinese space station will soon fall to Earth," 15 Mar. 2018 True, these superannuated children barely try to convince one another of anything — Jesse Green, New York Times, "Review: Reimagining ‘Peter Pan’ for the Lipitor Demographic," 13 Sep. 2017 Etched onto it is a circle of faces of superannuated ÖVP grandees. — The Economist, "The WunderwuzziThe 31-year-old who looks set to be Austria’s next chancellor," 14 Oct. 2017 The Irish presidency was little more than heaven’s vestibule for superannuated politicians, but Robinson put new fire in the office. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "We Could Learn a Lot From Mary Robinson," 22 Sep. 2017 Instead, the Italians have learned that every building, every structure, is a palimpsest, and that their lives within it, superannuated or brief, contribute another layer to its long narrative. — Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, "T’s Design & Luxury Issue: Editor’s Letter," 22 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'superannuated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of superannuated

circa 1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for superannuated

Medieval Latin superannuatus, past participle of superannuari to be too old, from Latin super- + annus year — more at annual

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More Definitions for superannuated

superannuated

adjective
How to pronounce superannuated (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of superannuated

formal : old and therefore no longer very effective or useful

See the full definition for superannuated in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on superannuated

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with superannuated

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for superannuated

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