erstwhile 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of erstwhilenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

erstwhile

2 of 2

adverb

ˈərst-ˌ(h)wī(-ə)l How to pronounce erstwhile (audio)
as in formerly
at an earlier or previous time there's now a store where erstwhile lay green and pleasant pastures

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of erstwhile
Adjective
Giuffre died by suicide last year, but, three years prior, the erstwhile prince had settled her civil suit against him. — Niall Stanage, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2026 With input from food historian Pushpesh Pant, chef Vijay Sahi has designed three tasting menus that reimagine the culinary whims of the erstwhile royals from across India. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 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
  1. former
  2. formerly
  3. old
  4. once
  5. other
Adjective
  • Errol Spence hasn't fought in three years, but the former world champion is climbing back into the ring on Saturday to take on another former champ in Tim Tszyu.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • Ciara, who has been married to former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson for a decade and before then soundtracked my college experience with her bops, is the guest judge filling in for Nina.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of former
Adverb
  • Another woman who was formerly in a relationship with the suspect also released a statement after the indictment.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • Green transferred to Mizzou after starting out at Oklahoma, while Hardy formerly starred for Louisiana-Monroe — but now both are firmly entrenched at MU under head coach Eli Drinkwitz.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of formerly
Adjective
  • Unlike my original e-bike, the Huffy includes metal fenders, a metal chain guard, and a battery that can charge in or out of the bike - all for a third of the price of my old bike.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Tyler James Feehan shared memories of the 25-year-old who was killed on July 17 as a result of Iranian strikes on Jordan.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of old
Adverb
  • The turf fields and youth sports arena are among several entertainment projects built within the Homefield STAR bond master plan, which also includes the site where the shuttered Schlitterbahn water park once stood.
    — Sofi Zeman July 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • Scott Parker’s side were also the first in English football to complete an entire season without ever conceding more than once in a league game.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of once
Adjective
  • The Big Bend Sector has not experienced the high number of border crossings seen in recent years in other areas farther south along the Rio Grande or in Arizona or California, owing to the remote and challenging terrain on both sides of the border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Today, some bright spots aside, the Art Deco District’s historic commercial spine is a drab length of vacant and unkempt storefronts, smoke shops, liquor stores, fast-food outlets, cheap T-shirt emporia and other varieties of tourist trap.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of other

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Cite this Entry

“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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