formerly
adverb
for·mer·ly
ˈfȯr-mər-lē 
ˈfȯr-mə-
1
: at an earlier time : previously
Istanbul was formerly known as Constantinople.
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
With a signature pink hat that turned him into one of the most recognizable figures in Cubs history, James Anixter became a standout fan at Cubs games with a legacy that is formerly honored by the team after his recent death.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Examples include Fashion Valley’s plans to replace the JCPenney store with 850 luxury apartments and the intent by The Valley, formerly known as Westfield Mission Valley East, to add multifamily residential units.
—
Hang Nguyen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
According to Bill of Sale and Deed of Trust records, Ambush's uncle, John Freeman -- who was formerly enslaved by Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison -- took out a $620 loan to buy Ambush's freedom in 1833.
—
Melia Patria,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
The demonstrations outside the convention in the eastern city of Erfurt reflected how AfD has divided Germany even while becoming the biggest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in Germany’s formerly communist east.
—
David Keyton,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Examples include Fashion Valley’s plans to replace the JCPenney store with 850 luxury apartments and the intent by The Valley, formerly known as Westfield Mission Valley East, to add multifamily residential units.
—
Hang Nguyen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
According to Bill of Sale and Deed of Trust records, Ambush's uncle, John Freeman -- who was formerly enslaved by Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison -- took out a $620 loan to buy Ambush's freedom in 1833.
—
Melia Patria,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
The demonstrations outside the convention in the eastern city of Erfurt reflected how AfD has divided Germany even while becoming the biggest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in Germany’s formerly communist east.
—
David Keyton,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for formerly
Cite this Entry
“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formerly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formerly
adverb
for·mer·ly
ˈfȯr-mər-lē
: at an earlier time : previously
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