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erstwhile

[urst-hwahyl, -wahyl] / ˈɜrstˌʰwaɪl, -ˌwaɪl /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Her condemnation followed a slew of public comments from other erstwhile allies of the governor decrying his decision to return to office.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 23, 2026

Rotating away from erstwhile AI darlings has been in vogue of late.

From MarketWatch Jul. 17, 2026

Compare that to the strapline you’d have to write for the erstwhile VW ID.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 28, 2026

By the early aughts, erstwhile edgy rock stars like Courtney Love and Nina Gordon swapped their torn fishnets and rumpled slip dresses for French manicures and blown-out coifs.

From Salon Feb. 19, 2026

A hundred years before Columbus, Meggers told me, they were blasted by a mega-Nino and then overrun by one of their erstwhile inferiors.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann




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