as in former
having been such at some previous time
a quondam oil baron now living comfortably in retirement
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Recent Examples of quondam
By coincidence, the same day that Reichstag burned, Einstein wrote to his quondam mistress, Margarete Lenbach.
—
Thomas Levenson, The Atlantic, 9 June 2017
Thomas Levenson, The Atlantic, 9 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quondam
Adjective
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Matthew Doyle, a former adviser to Starmer, described the visit as a strategic blend of ceremony and diplomacy.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cruz’s rebuttal didn’t touch on Carlson’s claims of frustration with Netanyahu, which former congressman Matt Gaetz said are largely true based on his relationship with Kirk.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Being able to generate code was finally getting a chance to shine in the bright lights of another erstwhile reason to use generative AI and LLMs.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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While Russia obsesses over Ukraine, its erstwhile friends and clients are quietly slipping away.—
Jeremy Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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When Angels manager Ron Washington took medical leave in June for the remainder of the 2025 season, Bochy became the oldest skipper, and only septuagenarian, in MLB.—
Candace Oehler,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Viewed in this light, the old narrative of 1066 and its aftermath has much to recommend it.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Grassley and other Republicans argue that by the time Smith formally inherited the case, the groundwork had already been laid for a wide-ranging operation that effectively criminalized political opposition.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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This is done through simple ultrasounds and other imaging technology.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quondam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quondam. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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