1. former

the first of two or the first mentioned of two

Example Sentences:
'Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today'

2. former

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

Example Sentences:
'the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one'

3. erstwhile, former, old, one-time, onetime, quondam, sometime

belonging to some prior time

Example Sentences:
'erstwhile friend'
'our former glory'
'the once capital of the state'
'her quondam lover'

• erstwhile
• old
• one-time
• onetime
• quondam
• sometime

4. former, late, previous

(used especially of persons) of the immediate past

Example Sentences:
'the former president'
'our late President is still very active'
'the previous occupant of the White House'

• late
• previous

5. early, former, other

belonging to the distant past

Example Sentences:
'the early inhabitants of Europe'
'former generations'
'in other times'

• early
• other