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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
Khloe Park, who formerly used the name Khloe Couleé, also posted about the dissolution of her relationship with her drag mother on Instagram, taking her thoughts to the grid.
—
Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 4 Sep. 2025
The path over Interstate 5 was added on to the pre-existing rail bridge formerly used by the Sacramento Southern Railroad which closed in 1978.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Now 43, Brooks, formerly of Milwaukee, remains incarcerated in the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on consecutive life terms for the deaths of Tamara Durand, Wilhelm Hospel, Jane Kulich, Leanna Owen, Virginia Sorenson and Jackson Sparks.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios (formerly MTV Entertainment Studios), 101 Studios, and Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 4 Sep. 2025
The path over Interstate 5 was added on to the pre-existing rail bridge formerly used by the Sacramento Southern Railroad which closed in 1978.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Now 43, Brooks, formerly of Milwaukee, remains incarcerated in the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on consecutive life terms for the deaths of Tamara Durand, Wilhelm Hospel, Jane Kulich, Leanna Owen, Virginia Sorenson and Jackson Sparks.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios (formerly MTV Entertainment Studios), 101 Studios, and Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formerly
Adverb
-
Sweep guest rooms, guest bathrooms, formal entertaining spaces, and other parts of the home that are used infrequently at least once a month.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is a tallgrass prairie nature preserve, a unique remnant of what once filled much of the Great Plains.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The defending world champions had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but Thursday was a celebration of Messi’s sterling international career.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Armani, who had already introduced unstructured jackets for men and women, was part of the generation of designers who ushered in a less formal fashion era, one that would allow men and women to look refined without looking stuffy.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Having previously allowed Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps to run their contracts into the final stages — a situation the club say was unsettling for the squad — United were determined not to make the same error.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The pair had previously enjoyed vacationing in Arizona, according to news reports and social media posts.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The hearing centered on how America can stay ahead in the new space race, with lawmakers pressing the importance of Artemis and reaffirming the need for the Gateway space station and to maintain continuous operations in low Earth orbit (LEO).—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Chili’s parent Brinker International has a lengthy growth runway ahead, according to Evercore ISI.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The transfer window closed earlier this week.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formerly. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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