1. up to this time; until now; before this
Usage: formal

Examples

• The company had heretofore maintained a strict policy against remote work.
• Methods heretofore considered impossible are now being explored by scientists.
• She had heretofore been reluctant to speak publicly about the issue.
• The region was heretofore unknown to European explorers.
• Heretofore, such technology existed only in science fiction.
• The court ruled that practices heretofore accepted were now unconstitutional.