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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Recent Examples of erstwhile
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Nov. 2025
As the night stretched on, a festive atmosphere took hold; one table whooped as an erstwhile fastidious bartender joined them for a shot and returned to the counter, high-fiving his colleagues.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
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
Instead of the usual narrator and talking heads, The Anthology series features the erstwhile moptops candidly telling their own story, with all its complexities and contradictions.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Nov. 2025
As the night stretched on, a festive atmosphere took hold; one table whooped as an erstwhile fastidious bartender joined them for a shot and returned to the counter, high-fiving his colleagues.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
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
-
Jack McGregor, a former state senator and the original founder of the Pittsburgh Penguins, died at the age of 91 on Tuesday.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Notable alumni Plenty of former Canes players were on the sidelines pregame Thursday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Only one remains, the Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Neighbors in North Hills told reporters the vacant commercial building was formerly a church, and homeless people have been known to take up residence inside the empty structure.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Come late January or early February, Denver could be down its defensive coordinator, a whiz-kid offensive mind, and a slightly older whiz-kid defensive mind.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
While the prison grounds have no high fences, the prison units exist as separate fortresses, successors to the long wooden barracks that were once here.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
So when winter arrived once again, bringing with it the heavy snowfall Minnesota is known for, the idea of building an igloo naturally came up.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Newsom is certainly right that California is a great state and an economic engine unmatched by other states.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To address the problem, water managers many years ago lowered the levels, but the tree islands never recovered, leaving ghosts of islands that lack the elevation to support the majestic hardwoods found in other parts of the Everglades, such as cypress, pond apple and pop ash trees.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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