theretofore
adverb
there·to·fore
ˈt͟her-tə-ˌfȯr 
ˌt͟her-tə-ˈfȯr
: up to that time
a theretofore unknown author
Examples of theretofore in a Sentence
theretofore the couple hadn't given much thought to marriage, but the unplanned pregnancy changed everything
Recent Examples on the Web
The reaction to the release of All Quiet on the Western Front in Germany marked an early Hollywood encounter with the pathological race hatred of a theretofore unknown political party.
—
Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2022
While deal volume in July and August still trends slower, recent years have enjoyed more robust markets during this period than theretofore.
—Frederick Peters, Forbes, 5 July 2022
There weren’t many bright colors, but some theretofore unnoticed textural quirks—on clothes, on faces—went wild with deep, scrutinizing, photographic detail.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2021
My confidence had reached a height theretofore unseen.
—Shannon Driskill, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2021
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Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2022
While deal volume in July and August still trends slower, recent years have enjoyed more robust markets during this period than theretofore.
—Frederick Peters, Forbes, 5 July 2022
There weren’t many bright colors, but some theretofore unnoticed textural quirks—on clothes, on faces—went wild with deep, scrutinizing, photographic detail.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2021
My confidence had reached a height theretofore unseen.
—Shannon Driskill, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2021
Cite this Entry
“Theretofore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theretofore. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theretofore
adverb
there·to·fore
ˈt͟hart-ə-ˌfō(ə)r
ˈt͟hert-,
-ˌfȯ(ə)r
: up to that time
noticed the theretofore undetected mistake
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