1
as in erstwhile
having been such at some previous time
the coach is a former professional baseball player
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in previous
going before another in time or order
the former manual had some errors, but the current version has its own problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of former
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
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
Walter Nolen is a former top prospect who the physical traits to be a dominant force on the defensive interior.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
He was followed by former New York Giants defensive end and TV host Michael Strahan and Laura Shepard Churchley, the eldest daughter of Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, for whom the rocket is named.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for former
Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
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
Walter Nolen is a former top prospect who the physical traits to be a dominant force on the defensive interior.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
He was followed by former New York Giants defensive end and TV host Michael Strahan and Laura Shepard Churchley, the eldest daughter of Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, for whom the rocket is named.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for former
Recent Examples of Synonyms for former
Adjective
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Earlier this year, there was a small bit of consternation in the Death Grips fan community due to an apparent private comment from erstwhile band member Andy Morin that was leaked publicly.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2025
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Bloomberg/Via Getty Images President Trump's announcements on tariffs have dismayed many of his erstwhile supporters on Wall Street.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Don’t Chelsea and the Premier League have previous on associated party transactions?—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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But Matt Lyons, CPS’ chief talent officer from 2015 to 2021, who oversaw similar discipline conversations with previous boards, said the decision to reinstate the cook seemed unusual.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Not content just to confirm its arrival, Veach deftly sliced a slit in the plastic to minimize any potential forensic trail, removed the new game and swapped in the old version before carefully rewrapping it.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2025
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In contrast, older generations started saving much later, with boomers beginning at an average age of 37 and with plans to retire at 72.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The trip to Brentford is little more than a lower mid-table meeting, but United’s other three engagements could have more riding on them.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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The president and his administration accuse Harvard, among other universities, of allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus, endangering Jewish students.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Former.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/former. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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