formerly

adverb

ˈfȯr-mər-lē How to pronounce formerly (audio)
Definition of formerlynext
1
as in once
at an earlier or previous time the newspaper formerly known as "The Newsprint"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for formerly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formerly
  1. once
  2. already
  3. previously
  4. ahead
  5. early
Adverb
  • Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Their reconstruction suggests that the Grand Canyon region once sat near an ancient continental margin in a position comparable to modern great escarpments found in places such as South Africa and Brazil.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of once
Adverb
  • But communities already are scrambling to store up road salt for the snowy season ahead.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Too early to tell, but the Viceroy name will, no doubt, bring Americans, who are already flooding into Portugal for vacation and often, to settle.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • Abbott has previously said data centers should not be built in rural Texas neighborhoods and that developers must pay their own way and provide their own water and power.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Immigrant advocates, medical professionals and lawmakers have previously raised concerns about conditions at the South Texas facility.
    — Laura Romero, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of previously
Adverb
  • Jiang’s era saw China’s economy charge ahead and open up to the world, culminating with the country joining the World Trade Organization – with US support – in 2001.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • All of that and more makes for an enticing season ahead, and a lot to wonder about, with the 2026 Chiefs … and their capacity to add more luster to Arrowhead’s legacy in its twilight years.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of ahead
Adverb
  • Bagherzadeh, who leads Iran’s armed forces’ missing persons search committee, earlier claimed that Qatar had held the three crew members for months after their planes were shot down early in the war.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Los Angeles likes to draft tight ends a year early, since the transition, mentally and physically, at this position and in this offense is so extreme.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of early

Browse Nearby Words

former
formerly
formidability
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Cite this Entry

“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formerly. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of formerly for Spanish Speakers

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