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
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
-
After nine days of testimony, prosecutors and defense lawyers in the trial of former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales are scheduled to deliver their closing arguments in a Corpus Christi courtroom on Wednesday morning.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
In early 2025, a former Dodgers batting practice coach had one of his World Series rings stolen by a duo of Romanian nationals in Arcadia.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Since its launch in July 2023, Threads has been a direct competitor to Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
-
For 50 years, the fest — which is presented by the Pecan Street Association — took place on East 6th Street, formerly named Old Pecan Street, but moved to the Hill Country Galleria in Spring 2025.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As this old scout has said many times, every Major League Baseball owner or ownership group has the ability to handle a $150M payroll.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
An infant, believed to be about one year old, was also inside the Volkswagen and was transported to the hospital in an unknown condition, the CHP said.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
21 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 24 Jan. 2026.
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