notwithstanding
not-wihth-STAN-dihng
Notwithstanding (prep) means In spite of; despite. Example: “Notwithstanding the bad weather, the match went ahead.”
prep
1
In spite of; despite.
"Notwithstanding personal preferences, the school district's rules on the topic govern our decision."
"Notwithstanding the bad weather, the match went ahead."
"Notwithstanding her nerves, Mia gave a clear and confident speech to the class."
"The team won the cup, notwithstanding a poor start to the season."
adv
1
Nevertheless; all the same.
"He, notwithstanding, persisted in his inquiries."
"The risks were high; they proceeded notwithstanding."
"It was raining hard, but we set off for the beach notwithstanding."
"He knew the advice was sensible, but he ignored it notwithstanding."
How to use notwithstanding
Learner’s notesIn 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.
Etymology
From Middle English notwithstandinge, a fusion of not + withstanding, literally "not standing against it."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for notwithstanding
landing
handing
sanding
standing
branding
demanding
upstanding
commanding
outstanding
understanding
grandstanding
misunderstanding
See all rhymes for notwithstanding →
Frequently asked questions
What does “notwithstanding” mean?
The word “notwithstanding” means in spite of; despite. In plain terms, a formal way of saying "despite" or "even so.".
How do you pronounce “notwithstanding”?
“Notwithstanding” is pronounced not-wihth-STAN-dihng (/ˌnɑtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “notwithstanding” in a sentence?
Here is “notwithstanding” used in a sentence: “Notwithstanding the bad weather, the match went ahead.”
What part of speech is “notwithstanding”?
Depending on how it is used, “notwithstanding” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “notwithstanding” come from?
The word “notwithstanding” comes from Middle English. From Middle English notwithstandinge, a fusion of not + withstanding, literally "not standing against it.".
Is “notwithstanding” a common word?
“Notwithstanding” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “notwithstanding” have?
“Notwithstanding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in spite of; despite.
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