Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make something appear antique or old-fashioned: To give an object or style the appearance of being from an earlier period.
   • To make something obsolete or out-of-date: To cause something to become old-fashioned, no longer in use, or superseded by newer methods or technology.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The designer used a special technique to antiquate the new mirror, giving it a weathered, 18th-century look.
  • The rapid development of digital cameras antiquated many traditional film-based processes.
  • New software updates can quickly antiquate previous versions.

Advanced Usage

• "to be antiquated": (past participle used as an adjective) describes something that is obsolete or old-fashioned.
  • The factory still uses antiquated machinery from the 1950s.
• "to antiquate oneself": (reflexive, less common) to make oneself or one's ideas seem out of date.
  • By refusing to learn new technologies, he risked antiquating himself in the job market.

Variants and Related Words

• Antiquated (adj): Old-fashioned or outdated.
  • The legal system relies on some antiquated procedures.
• Antique (adj/n): Belonging to an earlier period; an object from an earlier period.
  • They collect antique furniture.
• Antiquation (n): The process of becoming antiquated or obsolete. (This noun form is rare).

Synonyms

• Outdate: To make out of date.
• Obsolesce: To fall into disuse or become obsolete.
• Superannuate: To retire or make obsolete due to age.

Related Phrases

• Render obsolete: A common phrase with a very similar meaning to the second sense of "antiquate."
  • The invention of the smartphone rendered obsolete many standalone devices.

Notes on Usage

• antiquate is a formal and somewhat rare verb. In everyday language, phrases like , , or are more common.
• The verb often describes a process, either intentional (as in design) or a natural consequence of progress.

Verb

1. give an antique appearance to
   • antique furniture
2. make obsolete or old-fashioned