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
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
These deals – most recently Brea’s — enrage Norby, the erstwhile former assemblyman.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for erstwhile
Adjective
Her father is musician and writer David Turin, an erstwhile editor of mine some three decades ago.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
These deals – most recently Brea’s — enrage Norby, the erstwhile former assemblyman.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
That places an extra burden on holdovers Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Reynaldo Lopez, erstwhile All-Stars who had their own injury issues last year.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for erstwhile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erstwhile
Adjective
-
Camp Lucy was born when former antiques dealer and real estate developer Whit Hanks restored the ornate chapel on his family’s property in 2008.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
That money is on top of nearly $100,000 amassed by a separate committee formed specifically to defeat Bailey, a former Republican who is seeking to join what is now an all-Democrat City Council.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
And so, hounded by creditors and distressed by mounting debts, the remaining family had to leave their formerly genteel surroundings for the gritty, unsentimental shadows of the Yoshiwara.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
The 288-foot stunner, formerly known as Project Vento, has now been christened Angelique.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
For a 20-year-old Eric Lauer, fresh out of Kent State University in 2016, talking pitching with Mark Prior made the big leagues feel closer.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
The 25-year-old midfielder struggled to settle after joining Spurs from Atletico Madrid in January for €40million.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
She was hit twice, walked once and reached base a fourth time on an error.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
This includes square footage of housing as well as amenities that are once viewed as luxuries but are now seen as necessities, such as dishwashers and air-conditioning.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s concept—among a million other things—was to show how the young people who lived through the Napoleonic invasion went on to lead Russia’s first democratic uprising, the Decembrist Revolt of 1825.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
It can be booked for private sessions, but if full, the spa menu offers plenty of other indulgences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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