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as in earlier
so as to precede something in order of time
if you didn't get a malaria shot formerly, you'd better get one now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formerly
The shopping center was formerly home to the Hyde Park Co-Op Market, which dissolved in 2008, and then Treasure Island Foods, the local grocery chain that went completely out of business in 2018.
—
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Burrows — who also coaches his daughter’s middle school team, baseball at North Harford and formerly led the Hawks’ boys basketball team — received a call from Patterson Mill boys basketball coach and athletic director Jeroud Clark last year asking to coach those familiar faces.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
The late musician was a founding member and the original bassist of the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
The sprawling 28,000-square-foot space, formerly home to the old Woolworth building, has been in the works since early 2020 and was initially slated to open in summer 2021.
—Helen Freund, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Burrows — who also coaches his daughter’s middle school team, baseball at North Harford and formerly led the Hawks’ boys basketball team — received a call from Patterson Mill boys basketball coach and athletic director Jeroud Clark last year asking to coach those familiar faces.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
The late musician was a founding member and the original bassist of the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
The sprawling 28,000-square-foot space, formerly home to the old Woolworth building, has been in the works since early 2020 and was initially slated to open in summer 2021.
—Helen Freund, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formerly
Adverb
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Sources said Michael Lefkow and Humphrey were found together, each was shot once in the head.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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The storage that once felt like a gift is now likely to be a subscription, or what once felt like pocket change is now a pinch.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The glider chairs, though, are already sold out in a few colors, so act fast.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Feb. 2026
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OpenAI was comfortable with the lack of restrictions because so many safeguards were already built into its models, according to people familiar with the matter.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The mother of Tilly Servin, a toddler who prosecutors believe was tortured to death in Long Beach last year, is suing Los Angeles County’s child protection agency for leaving her daughter in the custody of the child’s father, who was previously sentenced to four years in prison for child abuse.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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Porter County Sheriff Jeffrey Balon previously testified in support of the bill before the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, according to Post-Tribune archives.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard scored late in the second period to put the Oilers ahead, but Carlsson and Olen Zellweger scored early in the third to even it again.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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Heimbrodt led the Redhawks with 14 points in the first half to help put them ahead 39-27 at the break.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Cheryl’s father had died years earlier, not knowing that someone had confessed.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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In more bad tidings, the trustees reported that a crucial Medicare trust fund will face a shortfall in 2033, three years earlier than projected a year ago.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formerly. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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