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

Meanwhile, SpaceX also controls X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026

Instead of productivity-sapping duplication, two enormous utilities presently serving Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia will combine to expand their capabilities by combining the machines, manpower and thought formerly compromised by two businesses working apart. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026

The 2,500-square-foot Del Mar location, formerly occupied by WestBrew Del Mar, was designed by Michael Soriano of Onairos Design, has a lush forest/greenhouse-style design with hanging plants, natural texture and glass walls. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026

Abdulai was formerly known as Tameca Williams. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026