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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 project was conceived and directed by Joel Barrios, who formerly served as a creative director at Netflix.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg is business editor and was formerly Fortune's executive editor of global news.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Kim Kardashian and Ye (formerly Kanye West) finalized their divorce in 2022, but sharing four children means they will be involved in one another’s lives for the foreseeable future.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
The 201-room stay, formerly Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, has been transformed by Peregrine Hospitality—the group behind Deer Valley Resort and Under Canvas—into a modern destination with a rooftop pool and restaurant, skyline views, and a podcast studio.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg is business editor and was formerly Fortune's executive editor of global news.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Kim Kardashian and Ye (formerly Kanye West) finalized their divorce in 2022, but sharing four children means they will be involved in one another’s lives for the foreseeable future.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
The 201-room stay, formerly Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, has been transformed by Peregrine Hospitality—the group behind Deer Valley Resort and Under Canvas—into a modern destination with a rooftop pool and restaurant, skyline views, and a podcast studio.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formerly
Adverb
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Struggling with a lack of career opportunities, Gen Z is second-guessing the worth of pricey college degrees, which once promised them six-figure jobs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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The remaining balance would be paid directly to Black folk once a year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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From the ongoing government shutdown to a national redistricting fight dropped on Indiana's proverbial doorstep and a 2026 statewide race already heating up, it's been anything but.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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This comes after airspace violations involving balloons carrying contraband cigarettes which had previously forced the closure of airspace earlier in the month.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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As a result of the new agreement, Little Rock officers and sergeants will get another 5% pay increase in 2027 on top of the 5% increases previously negotiated for 2025 and 2026.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The movie’s narrative [spoilers ahead] revolves around the lovely circus aerialist Cleopatra, who romantically pursues little person Hans, a performer in the sideshow.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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The film is set high in the mountains as fall comes to an end and a family prepares for the long winter ahead.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Those who have a personal my Social Security account may be able to view their COLA notice earlier online.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Officials at the college of roughly 2,800 undergraduates initially notified students on Sunday about Smith, whose disappearance was reported to Middlebury police earlier that afternoon.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formerly. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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