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
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
Manfred, like other MLB commissioners before him, had rejected Rose’s petitions for reinstatement while the erstwhile slugger was still alive.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 2025
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
Per online reports, the erstwhile couple initially doled out $2.8 million for a roughly 90-acre estate near Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch back in the early 1990s.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
Manfred, like other MLB commissioners before him, had rejected Rose’s petitions for reinstatement while the erstwhile slugger was still alive.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 2025
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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Also on the Ringling grounds is their ornate former home (some might say palace), Ca’ d ‘Zan, a Venetian-style home that sits at the lapping shores of Sarasota Bay.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
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The second-term president's highest-priority legislation is under attack from some Senate Republicans – and from his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk – for costing too much.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Adverb
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What was formerly a single-vendor ERP environment is quickly becoming a sprawling SaaS mess of multiple applications.—
Pankaj Goel,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Hawk’s Rock was formerly known as Lough Gill, a distillery in County Sligo, Ireland that produced the Athrú Irish whiskey brand.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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International students make up about 27% of the student body at the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Adverb
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Jones allegedly aimed the rifle at Goins and shot once, missing him, witnesses told police.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
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The issue may be one of perception: Modern small businesses extend far beyond the local grocery stores or mom-and-pop pharmacies that were once unlikely to expand beyond regional markets.—
Visa Contributor,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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There have inevitably been reports about interest from other clubs.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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The wide-ranging punishments for such sinful behavior could include a prohibition on wearing gold and other precious jewelry, as well as large tithes to monastic orders and the poor.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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