as in former
having been such at some previous time
my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of erstwhile
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
Manfred, like other MLB commissioners before him, had rejected Rose’s petitions for reinstatement while the erstwhile slugger was still alive.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 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
Per online reports, the erstwhile couple initially doled out $2.8 million for a roughly 90-acre estate near Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch back in the early 1990s.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
Manfred, like other MLB commissioners before him, had rejected Rose’s petitions for reinstatement while the erstwhile slugger was still alive.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 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
-
Legends finds Jackson playing Victor, a former boxing champ and pizzeria owner.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
28 May 2025
-
Thornton and Veronica Burton — both former Dallas Wings teammates — combined for 13 points in the third, but the lead again stretched to 16 at the end of the third.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
Adverb
-
The next day, 23-year-old Wayne Lucas was taken into custody in Virginia in connection with the attack, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a May 28 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
-
What To Know Damien Symon, an open-source intelligence expert, posted a satellite image on X (formerly Twitter) showing the Liaoning underway in the Philippine Sea, approximately 430 nautical miles (494 miles) southeast of Taiwan, accompanied by two escorting ships on Wednesday.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
International students make up about 27% of the student body at the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
-
Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Adverb
-
Jones allegedly aimed the rifle at Goins and shot once, missing him, witnesses told police.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
-
On this first night, the magic was on the other side in a manner that told you this final step up the mountain will, once again, be the toughest.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Similarly, SpaceX is hugely dependent on direct grants and regulatory permitting, clearances, and partnership from NASA and other federal agencies.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
6 June 2025
-
Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share