as in former
having been such at some previous time
my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of erstwhile
Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Violette briefly resurfaced in 2018 with a small solo show at Gladstone’s Upper East Side town house—an improbably tasteful site for an erstwhile rebel.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
In South Africa’s middle class suburban areas, including Randburg, where there’s more visible policing, lockdown measures are being tightly enforced, leaving several erstwhile busy stalls and shopping areas empty.
—Quartz Africa, 4 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for erstwhile
Adjective
La Dolce Vita and the Minerva, which occupies the erstwhile palazzo of 17th-century aristocrats, debuted last April.
—Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Violette briefly resurfaced in 2018 with a small solo show at Gladstone’s Upper East Side town house—an improbably tasteful site for an erstwhile rebel.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Candidates for the fifth spot include former postseason hero Ian Anderson, erstwhile All-Star Bryce Elder, and rookies AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep.
After winning a surprise world championship in 2021, the Braves had two 100-win seasons without reaching the final round again.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
In South Africa’s middle class suburban areas, including Randburg, where there’s more visible policing, lockdown measures are being tightly enforced, leaving several erstwhile busy stalls and shopping areas empty.
—Quartz Africa, 4 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for erstwhile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erstwhile
Adjective
-
Another former worker, Tomás Francisco, noted the job often required long hours in physically demanding positions.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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As things stand, if the primary election were tomorrow, the two who would advance would be former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, boxing out Democrats.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The brand has grown its distribution to 75 doors, up tenfold over the past two years, a move led by chief executive officer Savannah Sachs, formerly CEO of Tula.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Matt Brittin, formerly Google’s EMEA president, has been named the new director-general at the BBC.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have another qualifying disability.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This is how friends and family described 18-year-old Park Hill High School senior Tessa Walker, who was killed in a fiery crash in rural Platte County early Sunday morning.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
White once again led the Hornets’ bench brigade, tossing in 16 points to go with four rebounds and two assists.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Hikes to your overnight at San Pedrillo Station are longer and slower, and you’ll be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime immersion in the pristine jungle.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet University City has never developed the kind of independent dining culture that has flourished in other parts of Charlotte.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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Offer availability, placement, and display are determined by the third party and may be influenced by compensation and other factors.—
Brian Sloan,Dan Avery,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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