antiquate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “antiquate” mean?
To make something old-fashioned or obsolete.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make something old-fashioned or obsolete; to replace with something newer.
To render something out of date in style, design, or method; to consign to an older era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be encountered in formal British academic or historical texts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries a formal, slightly technical connotation. It often implies a deliberate or inevitable process of supersession.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects. The adjective 'antiquated' is the dominant derived form.
Grammar
How to Use “antiquate” in a Sentence
[Subject] antiquates [Object][Object] is antiquated by [Subject]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antiquate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The 2022 Online Safety Bill threatens to antiquate several key provisions of the previous communications act.
- Their research aims not to supplant but to antiquate the prevailing theory.
American English
- The new federal regulations will antiquate many state-level environmental statutes.
- Smartphone cameras quickly antiquated most point-and-shoot models.
adverb
British English
- [N/A - No standard adverb derived directly from 'antiquate']
American English
- [N/A - No standard adverb derived directly from 'antiquate']
adjective
British English
- [N/A - The adjective is 'antiquated', not a direct form of 'antiquate']
American English
- [N/A - The adjective is 'antiquated', not a direct form of 'antiquate']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in strategic planning: 'The new production model will antiquate our entire legacy system.'
Academic
Common in history, technology studies, and sociology: 'The invention of the printing press gradually antiquated the scribal tradition.'
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation. Would likely be paraphrased.
Technical
Used in IT, engineering, and law: 'Each new software release risks antiquating current hardware.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antiquate”
- Using 'antiquate' intransitively (e.g., 'The system antiquated' is wrong). It requires an object.
- Confusing the verb 'antiquate' with the much more common adjective 'antiquated'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the second syllable (an-TI-quate) is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal verb. The adjective 'antiquated' is far more frequently used.
They are very close synonyms. 'Antiquate' can imply a process of making something seem old-fashioned or belonging to a past era, while 'obsolete' strongly emphasises making something useless or non-functional due to being replaced.
It is unusual and dehumanising. It would be more natural to say 'make someone's skills obsolete' rather than 'antiquate someone'.
The process noun is 'antiquation'. However, like the verb, it is rare. 'Obsolescence' is the much more common term for the state of being obsolete.
To make something old-fashioned or obsolete.
Antiquate is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Antiquate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæntɪkweɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.tə.kweɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'antiquate']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ANTIQUE + ATE. The new technology ATE the old one, turning it into an ANTIQUE.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A FORCE (that renders things obsolete); PROGRESS IS A PURSUER (that overtakes and replaces the old).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'antiquate' correctly?