as in former
having been such at some previous time
my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion
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Recent Examples of erstwhile
Steve Kopack, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
In the gray daylight of the first days of Syria’s freedom, its citizens appear so far to be behaving not like unrestrained madmen but like traumatized, decent people worthy of their liberty, delivered even by an erstwhile jihadist.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
In South Africa’s middle class suburban areas, including Randburg, where there’s more visible policing, lockdown measures are being tightly enforced, leaving several erstwhile busy stalls and shopping areas empty.
—Quartz Africa, 4 Apr. 2020
See all Example Sentences for erstwhile 
Adjective
On Wednesday, Albertsons terminated the deal and sued Kroger, alleging its erstwhile partner didn’t do enough to secure regulators’ blessing.
—Steve Kopack, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
In the gray daylight of the first days of Syria’s freedom, its citizens appear so far to be behaving not like unrestrained madmen but like traumatized, decent people worthy of their liberty, delivered even by an erstwhile jihadist.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Candidates for the fifth spot include former postseason hero Ian Anderson, erstwhile All-Star Bryce Elder, and rookies AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep.
After winning a surprise world championship in 2021, the Braves had two 100-win seasons without reaching the final round again.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
In South Africa’s middle class suburban areas, including Randburg, where there’s more visible policing, lockdown measures are being tightly enforced, leaving several erstwhile busy stalls and shopping areas empty.
—Quartz Africa, 4 Apr. 2020
See all Example Sentences for erstwhile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erstwhile
Adjective
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Progress during the Trump administration halted after then-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stepped down from the agency, according to a former top-ranking official.Alexander Tin, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2025
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However, Joann has not had a permanent chief executive since May last year after the retirement of former President and CEO Wade Miquelon.Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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This is, as its name would suggest, the second car from Polestar, formerly Volvo’s performance division – a bit like AMG is to Mercedes – but now a sister brand that, like Volvo, is owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely.Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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What To Know In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Penny is seen riding the subway.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That policy is so old that Chapman remembers it from his rookie year in the NYPD as a young patrolman in East Harlem in 1968.Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
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On the day of the shooting, Nixon-Clark was 16 years and 9 months old, just shy of reaching legal status as an adult.Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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Payton once counted Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer among his assistants with the New Orleans Saints.Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
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The villa had been completely renovated once before, in the 1980s, though its landmark status kept the façade untouched.Ulrich Clewing, Architectural Digest, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some are contracted by insurance companies and other times are hired directly by affluent homeowners.Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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First lady Jill Biden, second-gentleman Doug Emhoff and several other former spouses of the president were also present, with the exception of Michelle Obama, whose office did not provide details explaining her absence.Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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