Some common synonyms of obsolete are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

// a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

The meanings of venerable and obsolete largely overlap; however, venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

// the family's venerable patriarch

While in some cases nearly identical to obsolete, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

// antiquated teaching methods