supersede by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supersede by" is not correct in English; it should be "superseded by." You can use it when discussing something that has been replaced or made obsolete by something else.
Example: "The old software was superseded by a more efficient version."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While he was in London Belcher arranged for Lieutenant Governor Dummer to be replaced by William Tailer (whose appointment to that post in 1715 he had ironically managed to supersede by lobbying for Dummer's appointment), and recommended that Jeremiah Dummer (with whom his relations had become seriously strained) be dismissed as colonial agent.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The aftercastle was superseded by the quarterdeck.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Minerals are superseded by facts about minerals.

The New York Times - Arts

Genghis Khan has been superseded by Jimmy Carter.

The New York Times - Arts

"Babe's records have been superseded by Hank Aaron and Mark McGwire.

The New York Times - Sports

Coastal shipping services were superseded by roads by the 1950s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One small crisis is superseded by the next small crisis.

The New York Times - Arts

All have all been superseded by newer titles.

The Guardian

Now largely superseded by Kanye-style blog rap".

The Guardian

But it was superseded by the Microsoft-Icahn offer.

The New York Times - Tech

The index has long been superseded by computerized databases.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve "supersede" for formal or technical contexts, such as legal documents, scientific theories or technological iterations.

Common error

Writers often use "supersede by" as if it were a complete verb phrase, but "by" indicates a passive agent, requiring the verb to be "superseded". Avoid saying "The old model will supersede by the new one" when you mean it will be replaced.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "supersede by" is an incomplete passive construction. In standard English, the verb supersede must take the past participle form superseded when followed by the preposition by. According to Ludwig AI, the vast majority of real-world usage in high-authority datasets corrects this to the passive form to indicate that one entity has been made obsolete or replaced by another.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

To conclude, while "supersede by" is a common search term for those looking to express replacement, it is technically an incorrect fragment. Ludwig AI and major linguistic datasets show that the correct form is almost always ""superseded by"". This phrase is highly effective in formal writing, particularly when discussing the evolution of technology, the passing of new legislation or the advancement of scientific knowledge. When using it, ensure you are employing the passive voice to maintain grammatical integrity. If the context is informal, consider using "replaced by" for better flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superseded by

Uses the correct past participle form for passive voice constructions.

replaced by

A more common and direct alternative for general substitution.

supplanted by

Implies that the new item has taken the place of the old one, often through force or superiority.

displaced by

Suggests the original item was moved out of its position by the newcomer.

overridden by

Used when a decision or rule is nullified by a higher authority or newer data.

obsoleted by

Specifically refers to technology or processes made out of date.

succeeded by

Common in formal or historical contexts to denote the next person or thing in a sequence.

outmoded by

Emphasizes that the previous item is now unfashionable or outdated.

preempted by

Indicates that something was replaced or prevented by an earlier action.

taken over by

A more informal phrase suggesting a shift in control or dominance.

FAQs

How to use "supersede by" in a sentence?

The phrase is typically used in the passive voice. You should say "The outdated software was "superseded by" a more efficient version" rather than using the infinitive form.

What can I say instead of "supersede by"?

Depending on your context, you can use more common phrases like "replaced by", "supplanted by" or "succeeded by".

Which is correct, "supersede by" or "superseded by"?

In almost every instance of replacement, ""superseded by"" is the correct grammatical choice because it functions as a passive verb phrase.

What is the difference between "supersede by" and "replace by"?

While "replace by" is a general term for substitution, "supersede by" (properly "superseded by") specifically implies that the newer item is superior, more advanced or has more authority than the one it replaces.