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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of erstwhile
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
With input from food historian Pushpesh Pant, chef Vijay Sahi has designed three tasting menus that reimagine the culinary whims of the erstwhile royals from across India.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for erstwhile
Adjective
Giuffre died by suicide last year, but, three years prior, the erstwhile prince had settled her civil suit against him.
—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
With input from food historian Pushpesh Pant, chef Vijay Sahi has designed three tasting menus that reimagine the culinary whims of the erstwhile royals from across India.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
That places an extra burden on holdovers Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Reynaldo Lopez, erstwhile All-Stars who had their own injury issues last year.
—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for erstwhile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erstwhile
Adjective
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Johnston, Cobbins leaving Johnston’s departure comes just three years after becoming the long-term replacement for former County Administrator Doug Bach, who left the government under an $800,000 separation agreement.
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The backstory Educator, journalist, and philanthropist Pleasant Rowland—best known to the world as the creator of the American Girl line of dolls—graduated from Wells College, a former school in town, in 1962.
Adverb
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The company, formerly branded as Maxar, was acquired by Intuitive Machines in January 2026 for about $800 million.
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The lake that formerly covered the work was far out, glistening nearly out of sight, and the sand cracked beneath our feet.
Adjective
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The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
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While students honed their skills at the Santa Monica studio for the last year and four months, Blanck found an old pilates studio in Pacific Highlands for rent, but the numbers just didn't add up.
Adverb
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Unlike on New Year's Eve, the ball won't drop just once, but eight times for the first time ever to mark when the clock strikes midnight in each American time zone, according to the America250 website.
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The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
Adjective
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The majority framed sports as different from other school settings because of what is at stake every time a roster is made, a medal is awarded or a scholarship is offered.
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Like so many other businesses and homes, cost has made coverage out of reach.
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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