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
Jesus Mesa
tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
That Horan yearns for the Fed to centrally plan an absurd creation of statist economists (GDP), prices, income, and employment more broadly is yet another disturbing lurch by an erstwhile free-market crowd that brevity disallows discussion of for now.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 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
The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir joined the Union of India through an instrument of accession signed on 26 October 1947.
—Jesus Mesa
tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
That Horan yearns for the Fed to centrally plan an absurd creation of statist economists (GDP), prices, income, and employment more broadly is yet another disturbing lurch by an erstwhile free-market crowd that brevity disallows discussion of for now.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 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
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Douglas Brick, a former student at the University of Utah, disappeared on Oct. 12, 1973, according to information from police and the school in Salt Lake City.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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During the pandemic and amid deep federal cuts to film funding under former president Jair Bolsonaro, Spcine became a pillar of industry resilience—and a powerful symbol of Brazil’s commitment to cultural diversity.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Adverb
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The arrangement comes after Something Weird LLC (formerly Something Weird Video) shuttered its download-to-own service and in-house DVD-R manufacturing operations last October.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 May 2025
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Hideki Matsuyama also missed the cut, snapping a streak of 19 made in a row when teeing it up in the majors, formerly the longest active streak.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Of course, the new standard will be backward-compatible with Wi-Fi 6 devices, as well as older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) ones.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2025
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Applicants must be 6 years or older as of the beginning of Oct. 4 to participate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 May 2025
Adverb
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This summer, the organization will step into the limelight once again.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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My niece went to a therapist once, never went to a narcotics anonymous meeting, never followed up with anything.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Because the fire is in a residential area, fighting the fire has strained the immediate water grid, Wallace said, leading the department to bring in water from other, larger water mains.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2025
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Court records show three of the burglary charges are from Seminole County and the two other burglary charges, along with the petit theft charge, are from a Volusia County warrant.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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