formerly
In past times
At an earlier time, in the past.
Formerly signals that something was once true but no longer is: The building was formerly a church.
It often appears with names to indicate previous identities: Myanmar, formerly Burma.
Unlike "previously," which suggests a sequence, formerly emphasizes a contrast between past and present states.
Existing before another
- precedingComing before in order
- antecedentSomething that precedes
- onceAt one time
- beforehandIn advance
preexisting · foregoing · preliminary · predecessor · ex · one-time · past · quondam
Very old indeed
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- colonialOf occupied territories
- antebellumBefore a war's start
prewar · postwar · Victorian · prehistoric · preindustrial · bygone · olden · historic
Fundamentally changed in nature
- convertedAltered in form or purpose
- renamedGiven a new designation
- rebrandedGiven new corporate identity
- reorganizedStructured differently than before
restructured · transitioned · evolved · superseded · replaced · succeeded · reconstituted · reformed
prior
Existing before another
- precedingComing before in order
- antecedentSomething that precedes
- onceAt one time
beforehand · preexisting · foregoing · preliminary · predecessor · ex · one-time · past · quondam · sometime
ancient
Very old indeed
antebellum · prewar · postwar · Victorian · prehistoric · preindustrial · bygone · olden · historic · dynasty
transformed
Fundamentally changed in nature
- convertedAltered in form or purpose
- renamedGiven a new designation
- rebrandedGiven new corporate identity
reorganized · restructured · transitioned · evolved · superseded · replaced · succeeded · reconstituted · reformed · redeveloped
- former studentsThose who graduated previously
- former president
- former gloryPrevious state of greatness
- former partnerPast romantic companion
- former loverPrevious romantic companion
- former spousePrevious marriage partner