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
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
This includes an erstwhile Democrat who spent considerable time and political capital on the issue.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 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
Still, the erstwhile tax credit made the cars more accessible.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
This includes an erstwhile Democrat who spent considerable time and political capital on the issue.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 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
-
Two former players were deemed permanently ineligible to participate in NCAA play after the governing body found them in violation of potential game manipulation for sports betting.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This is Anunoby’s third postseason with the Knicks, who acquired him in the December 2023 trade that sent former first-round picks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Stone House is a six-story, 161-unit apartment building developed by Win, formerly known as Women in Need, with 96 units reserved for homeless families.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Scratch opens in Prairie Village Owner of Scratch, Tyler Morrison, abandoned his original much smaller space, to take on the one next door, formerly Story.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Senior second baseman Alexis Richter has learned a lot about playing softball from her three older sisters.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The 73-year-old Weinstein kept his eyes trained on Mann throughout her Tuesday testimony, intermittently whispering to his attorney, Teny Geragos.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Focus on what matters, and let your message land clean instead of trying to say everything at once.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The royal pair is set to spend time at the nation's capital, including a formal state dinner at the White House and an address to a joint session of Congress, before venturing to other nearby states.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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On Saturday, Moscow pummeled the central city of Dnipro and other areas for more than twenty hours with barrages of missiles and drones, killing at least seven people.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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