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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
Its second-place finish left it as the biggest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in Germany's formerly communist east.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
On a parallel track to this downtown revitalization was the rise of Sporting KC, the Major League Soccer team formerly known as the Wizards.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
Some, Book noted, entered the new permanent supportive housing projects the Trust stood up this year — including Hideaway on the Bay in Cutler Bay, where 70-plus formerly homeless seniors now live.
—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Costa was formerly chief of staff to Emmanuel Macron during the president’s election campaign, before becoming chief of staff to Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, from 2017 to 2022.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for formerly
ABC News,
3 July 2026
On a parallel track to this downtown revitalization was the rise of Sporting KC, the Major League Soccer team formerly known as the Wizards.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
Some, Book noted, entered the new permanent supportive housing projects the Trust stood up this year — including Hideaway on the Bay in Cutler Bay, where 70-plus formerly homeless seniors now live.
—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Costa was formerly chief of staff to Emmanuel Macron during the president’s election campaign, before becoming chief of staff to Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, from 2017 to 2022.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formerly
Adverb
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Unlike on New Year's Eve, the ball won't drop just once, but eight times for the first time ever to mark when the clock strikes midnight in each American time zone, according to the America250 website.
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The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
Adverb
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Whereas the federal incentive may have been enough to spark interest in a range of buyers, Moody said the lesser amount will probably appeal mainly to people who already have their eye on an EV.
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Ahead of launching its first-ever foldable device, Apple has already secured components for about 80 million smartphones spread across new models for the second half of 2026, according to Nikkei Asia.
Adverb
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Delta has bid for and appears to be the likely winner for control of two gates, the ticketing lobby and support space previously controlled by Spirit Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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The ruling establishes the legal standard going forward and does not change the law that applied previously.
Adverb
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Instead of waiting until your breaking point to book a trip, start a travel fund and plan ahead.
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Turkey’s Arda Guler, who plays for Real Madrid, scored the equalizer at the 10-minute mark and Orkun Kokcu put Turkey ahead 2-1 in the 31st minute, finishing a cross from the left.
Adverb
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After initially selling its stock at $135 apiece in its ballyhooed initial public offering earlier this month, SpaceX’s price briefly soared above $225 within its first few days of trading.
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For China’s grueling annual college entrance exam earlier this month – which more than 10 million hopefuls take each year – authorities required screening of all glasses.
Cite this Entry
“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formerly. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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