notwithstanding 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of notwithstandingnext
as in however
in spite of that you're rather late getting here, but you're welcome to join us for dinner notwithstanding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

notwithstanding

2 of 3

conjunction

as in although
in spite of the fact that the man suspected of being the serial killer is little known to his neighbors, notwithstanding he has lived in the apartment complex for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

notwithstanding

3 of 3

preposition

ˌnät-with-ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce notwithstanding (audio)
as in despite
without being prevented by we went to see the show, my objections notwithstanding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of notwithstanding
Adverb
Underwood struggled for the rest of the game — his game-winning, 47-yard touchdown throw notwithstanding — and was often seen expressionless and speaking to no one on the sideline. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 Cut to this September, and Hollywood brows are less sweaty, recent Los Angeles heat wave notwithstanding. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Preposition
His boyish looks notwithstanding, Kiernan is now one of the deans of New York television, approaching his 30th year on NY1. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 Similarly, most new EVs come with a NACS fast-charging port for access to Tesla’s network, which remains the benchmark for reliability, Elon’s antics notwithstanding. — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notwithstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notwithstanding
  1. however
  2. but
  3. despite
  4. nevertheless
  5. though
  6. nonetheless
Adverb
  • Some states, however, have chosen not to adopt the federal rule because of concerns about near-term revenue losses.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • At some point, however, Heritage needed a few defensive stops.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of however
Conjunction
  • But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.
    — Chad Graff, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017
  • The tech firm didn’t pull that video down, but reached out to police.
    — Queenie Wong, The Mercury News, 3 May 2017
Definition of but
Preposition
  • And despite the gameplay and unpredictability down the stretch, that is kind of what happened.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 7 May 2020
  • Los Angeles County beaches will remain closed for the time being, despite other coastal stretches reopening — with limitations — this week in nearby Orange County with the state’s blessing.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2020
Definition of despite
Adverb
  • But the results nevertheless align with other recent polls showing corruption has shot to the top of voters' list of pressing worries.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While each group’s spending in Mississippi represents a small fraction of what either is putting into states like Texas, Ohio, and Michigan, the investments are nevertheless a reflection of how broad the midterm battleground has become.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of nevertheless
Adverb
  • Unlike the income tax, though, the property tax is regressive, meaning its rate is not adjusted to reflect a payer’s earnings or wealth.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Away from the cameras and stage lights, though, her approach to style has evolved.
    — Lindy Segal, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of though
Adverb
  • Even if an available person is never called upon to help, their latent availability nonetheless improves the atmosphere for everyone present.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The exhibition nonetheless offered a glimpse of what Nick Nurse’s team could look like when the regular season begins next week.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonetheless

Browse Nearby Words

not to mention
notwithstanding
not worth the candle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Notwithstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notwithstanding. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All