former

adjective

ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce former (audio)
Definition of formernext
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word former distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of former are antecedent, anterior, foregoing, preceding, previous, and prior. While all these words mean "being before," former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter.

the former name of the company

When would antecedent be a good substitute for former?

The synonyms antecedent and former are sometimes interchangeable, but antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation.

conditions antecedent to the revolution

When could anterior be used to replace former?

The meanings of anterior and former largely overlap; however, anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order.

the anterior lobe of the brain

When is foregoing a more appropriate choice than former?

The words foregoing and former are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foregoing applies chiefly to statements.

the foregoing remarks

When can preceding be used instead of former?

While the synonyms preceding and former are close in meaning, preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place.

the preceding sentence

How do previous and prior relate to one another, in the sense of former?

Both previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

a child from a previous marriage
a prior obligation

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 former Two-time Olympic champion and former world record holder Ariarne Titmus is taking this season off, leaving McIntosh and Ledecky as the two heavy favorites. —Sophie Kaufman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025 Sources: The #Dolphins are signing former #Bengals safety Mike Hilton. Highly respected veteran with 13 career INTs lands in Miami, who also signed CB Jack Jones earlier this morning. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025 Strangely, that letter focused less on trade and more on Trump’s gripes about Brazil’s treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over his role in an alleged coup to overturn his 2022 reelection loss. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 July 2025 Nic’s former connection, Cierra, who was kicked off the show for using a racial slur in a past social media post, subtly supported her former partner’s new connection with her best friend. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for former
Recent Examples of Synonyms for former
  1. erstwhile
  2. previous
  3. old
  4. other
Adjective
  • Plain football bias by voting fans and the erstwhile Worldwide Leader in Sports.
    — Greg Cote July 20, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
  • The gateway to the French Riviera, the city has long been dismissed as a way station to smaller resort towns, the erstwhile stomping grounds of Matisse, Chagall, Baldwin, and Fitzgerald.
    — Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Definition of erstwhile
Adjective
  • About 44% reported being in poor mental health within the previous month.
    — Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • This year's Run for the Roses also drew in the highest ever average viewership with nearly 18 million viewers, which is up 6% from the previous year.
    — Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 24 July 2025
Definition of previous
Adjective
  • Delaying tree harvests and protecting older forests enhances carbon sequestration, making untouched forests vital for reducing carbon dioxide and combating climate change.
    — Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Finally, came from an unexpected source: the tiny, stone Presbyterian church that is one of the few surviving structures of the old Fort McDowell.
    — Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Students in grades 6-12 are also allowed to have cell phones and other personal technology at school and are allowed to use them during lunch and in between classes.
    — Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 24 July 2025
  • His Fort McDowell Veterans Association uniform hung nearby along with other memorabilia of his Marine service, including a gourd hand-painted with the Marine logo.
    — Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of other

Browse Nearby Words

formed
former
formerly
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Cite this Entry

“Former.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/former. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of former for Spanish Speakers

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