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
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
The Liberal leadership race was centered on who could best deal with Trump and Canada’s (erstwhile?) ally.
—David Moscrop, TIME, 24 Mar. 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
Peace in Ukraine and the Middle East is proving to be far harder to achieve than the real estate deals envisaged by the president, while the bludgeon of tariffs is raising ever more opposition among erstwhile allies.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
The Liberal leadership race was centered on who could best deal with Trump and Canada’s (erstwhile?) ally.
—David Moscrop, TIME, 24 Mar. 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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The building, a century-old former canning and bottling plant, was donated in 2017 to two nonprofits — Affordable Recovery Housing and Residence for Patriots Services — according to a trustee’s deed documenting the transfer.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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Flying along with the three household names will be former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, activist and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Back in 2018, when Versace was bought by Capri (formerly Michael Kors) from the Versace family and Blackstone, Capri splashed out $2.2 billion including debt.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
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The next largest, USDS (formerly DAI), has about $8 billion.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
My father, Mila’s grandfather, after whom she is named, was five years old at the time.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Desk calendar Your old phone can be repurposed as your personal calendar.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
And, as the FTC has just warned once again, any unpaid toll bill text is almost certainly a scam.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
This ensures that the edges get nice and crispy once smashed.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Check out my website or some of my other work.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Poolhouse expects to sign additional franchising or joint venture agreements in other countries.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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