What word means "to make something obsolete"? [closed]
What word means to make something obsolete?
For example, the automobile made the horse and buggy obsolete. How would the word obsolete be applied as a verb?
obsoleted
The automobile obsoleted the horse and buggy.
bleech.
made obsolete
The automobile made obsolete the horse and buggy.
Not bad, but there's room for improvement.
EDIT: I'm looking for a verb that has an edge; that captures the upheaval and aggressiveness involved in displacing a product or industry. Killed is a bit strong.
killed
The automobile killed the horse and buggy.
A bit overstated.
ran out of business
The automobile ran the horse and buggy out of business
marginally better, but still not good.
disrupted
the automobile disrupted the horse and buggy
Better applied to an industry, like so
the automobile disrupted the transportation industry in the early 20th century; particularly the horse and buggy.
Wordy.
smashed
The automobile smashed the horse and buggy.
More along the lines of what I seek, but a bit improper.
XXX
The automobile XXX the horse and buggy.
What verb fits best here?
Interestingly, you automatically used a word in your question that you didn't even comment on—perhaps without realizing what you'd done: displace:
1 a : to remove from the usual or proper place
specifically : to expel or force to flee from home or homeland
// displaced persons
1 b : to remove from an office, status, or job
1 c obsolete : to drive out : BANISH
2 a : to move physically out of position
// a floating object displaces water
2 b : to take the place of (as in a chemical reaction) : SUPPLANT
So, in your example sentence:
The automobile displaced the horse and buggy.
I don't know if this is exactly what you're looking for, but the verb supersede is close.
From Cambridge Dictionary:
supersede — to replace something older, less effective, or less important or official:
Wireless broadband could supersede satellite radio one day.
From Merriam-Webster
1a : to cause to be set aside
1b : to force out of use as inferior.
to supplant TFD
- To take the place of; to replace
As in:
"The automobile supplanted the horse and buggy."