economically obsolete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "economically obsolete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is no longer economically viable or relevant due to changes in the market or technology. Example: "With the rise of digital streaming services, physical media like DVDs have become economically obsolete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It's economically obsolete".

The New York Times - Magazine

Lakewood, Ohio, condemned well-kept historic homes for being "functionally and economically obsolete".

The Economist

Though Terwilliger called the Dome structurally sound, he said its small number of luxury suites and premium seating made it economically obsolete.

The New York Times - Sports

They also owned a lot of old theaters that were economically obsolete, and which didn't fit the modern design of what people wanted.

The New York Times

It was an economically obsolete industry, riddled with small-scale corrupt practices, which had been kept afloat by a combination of regulation of its competitors and deposit insurance.

The New York Times

A lot of malls in the US are economically obsolete, and as retail usually commands much higher rents than industrial space, converting these malls into warehouses would dramatically lower the rents.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Lincoln operated from 1945 until the other Sunday, by which time, according to one of its owners, it was "economically and technically obsolete".

The New Yorker

To guard against nuclear attack, one urban planner, Tracy Augur, suggested that Americans leave the cities, calling them "obsolete" and "economically unsound and dangerous".

The New York Times

Even a Los Angeles transportation official declared, "The rail passenger operations of Pacific Electric became obsolete, and economically there was no justification for their perpetuation.

Los Angeles Times

Although trade-offs must be made when budgets are tight, steering money away from international institutions that promote human rights and toward an industry that is not only responsible for thousands of deaths and illnesses per year, but is also increasingly obsolete and economically unsustainable, is outrageous.

HuffPost

The effectiveness of citizen activism in California is now vastly multiplied as these two decrepit reactors become increasingly obsolete, inoperable and economically insupportable.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing assets or infrastructure, use "economically obsolete" to highlight that the item is no longer viable to maintain or operate due to economic reasons, even if it still functions physically. This is especially relevant in discussions about urban planning, technology, and business strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "economically obsolete" interchangeably with "technologically obsolete". While something can be both, "economically obsolete" specifically indicates financial non-viability. A technology might be functional but too expensive to operate or maintain, making it economically, but not necessarily technologically, obsolete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "economically obsolete" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is no longer financially viable or profitable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that has lost its economic relevance due to market or technological shifts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "economically obsolete" is used to describe something that is no longer financially viable or profitable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, and academic contexts, it often explains decisions related to business, technology, and infrastructure. Remember to use it when the primary concern is financial sustainability rather than technological advancement. Consider alternatives such as "financially unviable" or "economically unsustainable" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financially unviable

Replaces "obsolete" with "unviable", focusing on the lack of financial sustainability.

economically unsustainable

Highlights the inability to maintain economic viability over time.

no longer economically feasible

Emphasizes that the economic conditions no longer support the viability of something.

not economically viable

Directly states the lack of economic viability.

unprofitable

Focuses on the inability to generate profit.

loss-making

Highlights that the entity is generating a loss.

uneconomical

Similar to "economically obsolete" but uses a single word.

outdated economically

Highlights that the item has fallen behind due to economic shifts.

commercially uncompetitive

Focuses on the inability to compete in the commercial market.

surplus to economic requirements

Emphasizes the overabundance for economic needs, implying lack of value.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to be "economically obsolete"?

When something is described as "economically obsolete", it means that it's no longer financially viable or profitable to maintain, use, or operate, even if it still functions. This often happens due to changes in technology, market conditions, or business practices.

How can I use "economically obsolete" in a sentence?

You might say, "The old factory became "economically obsolete" due to higher operating costs and decreased demand" or "The introduction of new software rendered the previous system "economically obsolete"".

What are some alternatives to saying "economically obsolete"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "financially unviable", "economically unsustainable", or "no longer economically feasible" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "economically obsolete" and "technologically obsolete"?

"Technologically obsolete" refers to something that is outdated or no longer state-of-the-art in terms of technology. "Economically obsolete", on the other hand, means something is no longer financially worthwhile, even if the technology still functions. A technology might be "technologically obsolete" but still "economically viable", or vice versa.