in the past
During earlier times
In the past refers to a time before now, ranging from the recent to the distant: In the past, I would have said yes.
The phrase often implies that circumstances have changed—what was true then no longer applies: In the past, women couldn't vote.
It can soften criticism of former behavior: I've made mistakes in the past.
Before the present
- formerlyIn the past
- onceAt one time
- previouslyBefore the present moment
- earlierAt a prior time
before · prior · back when · long ago · way back · years ago · originally · initially
Ordered historical record
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- civilizationAdvanced organized human society
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- empireDomain under unified control
era · epoch · ancient · medieval · prehistoric · archaeology · artifact · relics
Recall past experiences fondly
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
- keepsakeItem preserved for sentiment
memento · souvenir · photograph · diary · memoir · scrapbook · heirloom · reunion
Old and outdated
- obsoleteNo longer in use
- outdatedNo longer in use
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- defunctNo longer existing
dated · archaic · outmoded · forgotten · abandoned · discontinued · vanished · disappeared
Recognition after the fact
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- reviewCritical written assessment
- reconsiderationRenewed evaluation of something
- reappraisalNew assessment of value
reassessment · looking back · reexamination · introspection · contemplation · perspective · lessons learned · maturity
Intense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- sentimentalExcessively emotional about memories
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
homesickness · pining · bittersweet · sepia-toned · golden age · rose-tinted · retro · vintage
ago
Before the present
- formerlyIn the past
- onceAt one time
- previouslyBefore the present moment
earlier · before · prior · back when · long ago · way back · years ago · originally · initially · anciently
chronicle
Ordered historical record
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- civilizationAdvanced organized human society
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
empire · era · epoch · ancient · medieval · prehistoric · archaeology · artifact · relics · archives
reminisce
Recall past experiences fondly
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
keepsake · memento · souvenir · photograph · diary · memoir · scrapbook · heirloom · reunion · storytelling
antiquated
Old and outdated
- obsoleteNo longer in use
- outdatedNo longer in use
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
defunct · dated · archaic · outmoded · forgotten · abandoned · discontinued · vanished · disappeared · extinct
hindsight
Recognition after the fact
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- reviewCritical written assessment
- reconsiderationRenewed evaluation of something
reappraisal · reassessment · looking back · reexamination · introspection · contemplation · perspective · lessons learned · maturity · wisdom
yearning
Intense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- sentimentalExcessively emotional about memories
melancholy · homesickness · pining · bittersweet · sepia-toned · golden age · rose-tinted · retro · vintage · throwback
in the pastin the future
At a subsequent time
going forward · from now on · henceforth · hereafter · currently
in the pastcurrently
At this moment
nowadays · these days · at present · in this day and age · as of now