erstwhile

[urst-hwahyl, -wahyl]

adjective

1. former; of times past.

   erstwhile friends.

   Synonyms: previous, bygone, past
   Antonyms: present, current

adverb

1. Archaic.,  formerly; erst.

erstwhile

/ ˈɜːstˌwaɪl /

adjective

1. former; one-time

   my erstwhile companions

adverb

1. archaic,  long ago; formerly

Word History and Origins

Origin of erstwhile¹

First recorded in 1560–70; erst + while

Example Sentences

“West Coast ideologues have embraced the laissez-faire ideology of their erstwhile conservative enemy,” they wrote.

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South Asians are largely the last visible sign of pluralism in Republican power, an erstwhile proof that the charges of racism from the left are unfair.

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His erstwhile allies in Eastern Europe are rearming themselves to protect against any future Russian aggression.

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This alienation of Israel’s erstwhile friends around the world stands to erode, in a potentially lasting way, not only the standing of Netanyahu and his successors but also the long-term viability of Israel’s founding project.

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The author, who lives in Culver City, is still married to the erstwhile sailor, but she now sculls at UCLA’s Marina Aquatic Center.

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