Synonyms of formerly

formerly

adverb

ˈfȯr-mər-lē 

1

as in once

at an earlier or previous time

the newspaper formerly known as "The Newsprint"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• once
• erstwhile
• onetime

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recently
• now
• currently
• presently
• lately

2

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

• earlier
• already
• previously
• ahead
• early
• before
• preliminarily
• now
• antecedently
• anteriorly
• afore
• in advance
• shortly
• soon
• beforehand
• first
• prematurely
• presently
• first off
• before long
• a priori
• erelong

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• later
• afterward
• subsequently
• after
• behind
• next
• by and by

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of formerly

Pope Leo, a Chicago native and the first American pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the church's 267th pontiff in May 2025. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

The 1915 building, formerly home to a printing press, had two laundry rooms but no doorman. — Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Dana Altman of Oregon, formerly of Creighton, is the latest veteran coach to retire amid the challenges of NIL and the transfer portal, which requires rebuilding a roster nearly every year. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Ben Frow, chief content officer of 5 (formerly Channel 5) is stepping down next year. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026