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
Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025
Over the years, there have been some renovations, including a suite of rooms Salm added for herself in the erstwhile servants’ quarters beyond the kitchen.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 24 June 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
On the way to the Fordyce’s second floor, the erstwhile opulence along Bathhouse Row becomes evident.
—Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025
Over the years, there have been some renovations, including a suite of rooms Salm added for herself in the erstwhile servants’ quarters beyond the kitchen.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 24 June 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
-
The trailer now shows Ashur, a former slave, struggling to be accepted by high society.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
27 July 2025
-
Two incumbents, a former city councilwoman and five others make up a crowded list of candidates vying for at-large seats on the Detroit City Council in the primary.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
Adverb
-
Jean Orlowski, formerly working on Wall Street, now owns Hala Tree Coffee (Big Island) & Hala Tree Cafe (Oahu).—
Jean Orlowski,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
Based in the fabric’s birthplace of Chennai (formerly Madras), India, the Original Madras Trading Company has supplied its trademark textile to major U.S. brands for generations.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The committee is seeking old photographs and historical information about Pea Ridge and the years before there was a newspaper.—
Annette Beard,
Arkansas Online,
24 July 2025
-
Delaying tree harvests and protecting older forests enhances carbon sequestration, making untouched forests vital for reducing carbon dioxide and combating climate change.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Adverb
-
The cities in the top four spots remained unchanged from last year's ranking, with Arlington, Va. once again taking first place.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Musk deleted the tweet days later, taking a reconciliatory tone with Trump for a few weeks, though disputes between them sparked once again at the start of July (see a timeline of their feud here).—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the overall increase, significant reductions in veteran homelessness in Indianapolis and the U.S. at large hold lessons for how to help other groups, advocates say.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
-
His Fort McDowell Veterans Association uniform hung nearby along with other memorabilia of his Marine service, including a gourd hand-painted with the Marine logo.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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