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

Meta, which formerly was known as Facebook, has pushed this idea of the metaverse — digital spaces where people will work, socialize and play through virtual avatars. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Meuleman, formerly global head of strategy at Carat, has worked for Heineken and Kraft Heinz, among others. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

The Azerbaijan-founded Gazelli Art House, which just this week expanded to New York with a 10,000-square-foot gallery at the Chelsea location that formerly housed Marlborough, is participating in the Armory Show for the second time. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

The space, with rear windows that face the golf course and let in plenty of light, was formerly a yoga studio. — Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026