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used to be

ADVERB
formerly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
already earlier heretofore once
STRONG
erstwhile
WEAK
a while back aforetime anciently at one time away back back back when before before now before this down memory lane eons ago erewhile in former times in the olden days in the past lately long ago of old of yore olden days once upon a time radically some time ago time was water under the bridge
Antonyms
WEAK
currently future presently subsequently

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.

"We're seeing this existential anxiety within the Social Democratic Party" which "doesn't know what it should do right now to get back to where it used to be", Ciobanu added.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

In addition to loosening the valve on submissions, many journals are further overheating the system by offering papers for what used to be study components.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

But another factor might also help explain some of the recent shakiness: BDCs are more loaded with debt than they used to be, often in ways that are hard to discern.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

While his ownership stake in the company is larger than what it used to be, Musk has frequently discussed wanting to own even more — at least a quarter of Tesla’s shares.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

They used to be allowed in the post office, but that didn’t last.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson