formerly

adverb

for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē How to pronounce formerly (audio)
ˈfȯr-mə-
1
: at an earlier time : previously
2
obsolete : just before

Examples of formerly in a Sentence

He was formerly a congressman. the newspaper formerly known as “The Newsprint”
Recent Examples on the Web The states argue that White House communications staffers, the surgeon general, the FBI and the U.S. cybersecurity agency are among those who coerced changes in online content on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and other media platforms. Mark Sherman, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 In fan footage of the performance posted on X (formerly Twitter), North could be seen walking to the center of the stage and then jumping around with her friends in a circle while her rapper dad, 46, stood to the side. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 Friday March 15: Country singer-songwriter Luke Bryan, owner of bar Luke's 32 Bridge, posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday regarding Strain's time spent at the bar. Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 In Russia, however, the war effort created new money-making opportunities: assets as diverse as auto plants, formerly owned by Toyota and Renault, and Starbucks and IKEA franchises have been either seized outright or forcibly sold at steep discounts and parcelled out to loyal insiders. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 The National Weather Service office in Little Rock picked up a debris signature on radar around 8:05 p.m. that indicated a tornado had struck near the town in Garland and Saline counties, a post on X, formerly Twitter, stated. Joseph Flaherty, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2024 The argument began around March 2 surrounding disagreements on Minaj’s most recent album and gained attention on X, formerly known as Twitter, when a 17-year-old Arizona resident posted his address along with a video in his front yard. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Travis, 34, could be seen speaking with fans courtside and Jason, 36, was on a phone call before the mascot approached them with two beers. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 At one point, his primary account on X, formerly known as Twitter, was shut down, further limiting his reach. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formerly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of formerly was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near formerly

Cite this Entry

“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formerly. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

formerly

adverb
for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē How to pronounce formerly (audio)
: at an earlier time : previously

More from Merriam-Webster on formerly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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