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
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
-
Shakir Khan, a former Lodi City Council member, was sentenced to three years in the San Joaquin County Jail for a conviction of election fraud and money laundering.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
And testimonials from former patients told stories of dreams come true after years of trying for a child.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
But in September Wing resigned to become the executive director and CEO of ArkansasTV, formerly Arkansas PBS, creating the need for a special election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Transcription services have already made a formerly tedious process instantaneous, allowing reporters to process more information and get stories out quicker.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All guests, however, must be at least eight years old.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Michael Vaughan went missing from his home in Fruitland in July 2021, triggering a search for the 5-year-old that involved law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels.—
Alex Brizee
March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
QueenEr’Re was gunned down just after sunset on New Year’s Day in the West End playground, named for the housing project that once stood there.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Eric Musselman sat behind a microphone at the bitter end of a bitter regular season for USC, armed only with the same explanations for how a once-hopeful season could come so undone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Walsh was joined by Sean Davis, Saagar Enjeti, and other conservative commentators who spent the day accusing the administration of bungling its messaging on the conflict.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
That larger halo could bring multiple globular clusters together, but could also not necessarily contain other reservoirs of gas or normal matter, being instead overwhelmingly dominated by dark matter.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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