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Formerly vs Finally - What's the difference?

formerly | finally |

As adverbs the difference between formerly and finally

is that formerly is at some time in the past while finally is at the end or conclusion; ultimately.

formerly

English

Adverb

(-)
  • at some time in the past
  • previously; once

    • finally

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • At the end or conclusion; ultimately.
  • (sequence) To finish (with); lastly.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.}}
  • (manner) Definitively, comprehensively.

    • Synonyms

    * at length * at last * endly

    Antonyms

    * (ultimately) initially