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

Researcher Alejandro Gonzalez-Garcia, formerly of MIT CSAIL, expands upon Rus’ example. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Parks fans lost Muppet*Vision 3D but got a Muppets overlay in (the formerly Aerosmith) Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Suitors that expressed interest included Frasers, Next, and Modella Capital (owner of Hobbycraft and TGJones, formerly WHSmith). — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026

The brooch, formerly owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, Dowager Countess of Airlie (1933–2024), carries an estimate of £20,000–£30,000 ($27,000–$40,000). — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026