prep

notwithstanding

not-wihth-STAN-dihng

prep

In spite of; despite.

"Notwithstanding the bad weather, the match went ahead."

adv

Nevertheless; all the same.

"The risks were high; they proceeded notwithstanding."

How to Use Notwithstanding

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA formal way of saying "despite" or "even so."

When to use it

Fairly formal or legal in tone — "despite" is more natural in everyday speech.

Common pairings

notwithstanding the fact that law notwithstanding

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_____ the bad weather, the match went ahead.

From Middle English notwithstandinge, a fusion of not + withstanding, literally "not standing against it."

landing handing sanding standing branding demanding upstanding commanding outstanding understanding grandstanding misunderstanding