outdated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outdated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has become less relevant or no longer current due to new developments or advancements. Example: "The software was outdated by the release of a more advanced version just a few months later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

All this will, of course, be outdated by tomorrow.

The New York Times - Travel

Especially in the fast-moving technology field, remedies imposed by regulators can be outdated by the time they are implemented.

The New York Times - Tech

What's more, the campaigning techniques beloved of Lib Dems will seem pretty outdated by the next election.

Independent

The Costco outlets are also outdated by current standards, but a state-supported program stands ready to upgrade them at no cost to Costco.

The New York Times

Before its publication its conclusions had been outdated by the declaration of October 1929, which stated that dominion status was to be the goal of Indian constitutional development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you buy fixtures with technology that is outdated by the time you sell your home, he said, "you're spending money that might not come back".

The New York Times

Britain's infrastructure could be outdated by 2012.It is true that British broadband connections are, by international standards, already somewhat sedate.

The Economist

When I arrived, I discovered that the collective agreement with the workers' union was outdated by three and a half years.

The Guardian

But in the end she concluded that safety codes on the crib would be outdated by the time her own children become parents.

The New York Times

It has always claimed left and right are concepts outdated by the end of the cold war and that it can cherry pick policies from both sides.

The Guardian

Such tweaks are designed to lower the vote disparity to 1.998, but given the latest urban drift, the legislation could be outdated by the time it takes effect.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outdated by", ensure that you clearly specify what has caused the obsolescence. This provides context and strengthens your statement.

Common error

While "outdated by" is suitable for formal and technical writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "old" or "out of date" in casual conversation to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outdated by" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically follows a noun or verb, indicating that something has become obsolete or less relevant due to another factor. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outdated by" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something has become obsolete or less relevant due to a specific cause. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in formal contexts such as news articles, scientific papers, and technical reports. To ensure clarity, specify the cause of obsolescence when using this phrase. While "outdated by" is widely accepted, simpler alternatives like "superseded by" or "replaced by" may be more suitable for informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superseded by

Indicates a direct replacement or surpassing in importance or use.

replaced by

Suggests a substitution of one thing with another, often implying improvement.

made obsolete by

Highlights the cause of obsolescence, emphasizing that something is no longer needed or used.

rendered irrelevant by

Emphasizes the loss of relevance or significance due to new developments.

antiquated by

Implies that something has become old-fashioned or out of date.

invalidated by

Suggests that something has been proven wrong or no longer valid.

overtaken by

Conveys that something has been surpassed, often in terms of speed or progress.

eclipsed by

Indicates that something has been overshadowed or diminished in importance.

left behind by

Highlights the idea that something hasn't kept up with progress.

made archaic by

Highlights the process of becoming extremely old or outdated.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "outdated by"?

You can use alternatives like "superseded by", "replaced by", or "made obsolete by" depending on the context.

How do I use "outdated by" in a sentence?

Use "outdated by" to indicate that something has become obsolete or less relevant due to the emergence or introduction of something newer or more advanced. For example: "The technology was outdated by the invention of the microchip."

Is "outdated by" formal or informal?

"Outdated by" is generally considered suitable for formal and neutral contexts, but it can sound unnecessarily complex in very informal situations. Simpler alternatives may be preferable for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "outdated by" and "obsolete"?

"Obsolete" describes something that is no longer produced or used, while "outdated by" specifies what has caused something to become obsolete. Something can be obsolete without necessarily being "outdated by" a specific thing, but something "outdated by" definition, becomes obsolete.