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
Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
The focus right now is on Canada, an erstwhile friend, who has had enough of Trump after the surprise labeling them as fentanyl kingpins and smugglers of natural resources.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 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
Porter Moser spent three seasons in the Big 12 before shepherding Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference, making the longtime coach uniquely suited to compare the erstwhile best conference in America to the current king of college hoops.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
The focus right now is on Canada, an erstwhile friend, who has had enough of Trump after the surprise labeling them as fentanyl kingpins and smugglers of natural resources.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 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
-
Torossian served as former Council President Paul Krekorian’s chief of staff before joining Councilmember Adrin Nazarian’s staff.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
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On Wednesday, March 28, former infectious disease doctor Amy Cohen, 36, of Narberth, was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to arson, terroristic threats with the intent to terrorize another and other crimes, according to online court records.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
Desk calendar Your old phone can be repurposed as your personal calendar.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
My father, Mila’s grandfather, after whom she is named, was five years old at the time.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
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
-
The Israeli government shut down the supply of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza ahead of the offensive, in a bid to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages and impose new conditions on the extension of the ceasefire.—
Tim Lister and Ibrahim Dahman,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the lead up to the party, Eady had expressed contrition to other cast members about her previous actions toward Moore.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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