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
Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
The erstwhile quarterback for the Judases should just stay home with Madison Beer, his erstwhile girlfriend, maybe take in a movie.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 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
Now Maduro sits in an American prison, and Venezuela is governed by his erstwhile second-in-command, Delcy Rodríguez, under a heavy American hand.
—Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
The erstwhile quarterback for the Judases should just stay home with Madison Beer, his erstwhile girlfriend, maybe take in a movie.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 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
-
Ministers remain haunted by events in September 2000 when former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government, with a majority as large as Starmer’s now, was rocked as farmers and hauliers blockaded refineries and fuel depots amid fury over taxes levied on petrol and diesel.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Republican field includes former state Republican Party chair Don Tracy and attorney Jeannie Evans.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The 27-mile round-trip climb from Idaho Springs to the peak of the fourteener formerly known as Mount Evans dates back to 1962.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Paul Aurelio McClain, 46, formerly a sergeant with the campus police department, entered a plea to the federal indictment’s sole count, possession of child pornography.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Blume would shower with her father and her older brother, David.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The funeral prayer for the 41-year-old Afghan father of six who died Saturday in ICE custody was held Tuesday while more questions arise about why he was picked up and what caused his death less than a day later.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
By then, Pahlavi was surrounded by a younger entourage of analysts and advisers, some of whom were brash figures once associated with the country’s reformist student movement.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Scientists have increasingly recognized that sharks, once viewed as largely solitary creatures, have relatively complex social bonds.—
BRADY DENNIS THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
22 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
-
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 24 Mar. 2026.
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