Before
Before adverb - So as to precede something in order of time.
Usage example: their arrival was completely expected because a messenger had gone before
Formerly is a synonym for before in earlier topic. In some cases you can use "Formerly" instead the word "Before" as an adverb or an adjective, when it comes to topics like precede, previously, in the past. popular alternative
Formerly
Formerly adverb - So as to precede something in order of time.
Usage example: if you didn't get a malaria shot formerly, you'd better get one now
Before is a synonym for formerly in previously topic. You can use "Before" instead the word "Formerly" as an adverb or an adjective or a preposition, if it concerns topics such as time, precede, earlier, previously in time or order. popular alternative
Nearby Word: former
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- The formerly engaged team of Dennis & Erika (Season 5) became the first team out when Dennis, who wanted to prove that he wasn't a "scumbag" after another team called him that earlier in the leg, let all the other teams get cabs before him and Erika.
- Mickey/Jackie, formerly a popular ship mate to Tenth Doctor/Rose, has pretty much died off since the pairings of Jackie/alternate Pete in "Doomsday" and Mickey/Martha offscreen at some point before "The End of Time".
Source: Abandon Shipping - Another Goliath in Marvel was Erik Josten, who formerly called himself Power Man (not this one) and the Smuggler before gaining powers similar to Pym's.
Cite this Source
Formerly and Before. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/formerly
Before & Formerly. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/formerly>.
Formerly or Before. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/before/formerly.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "before" and "formerly" have occurred on timeline