nevertheless
Americanadverb
Usage
What are other ways to say nevertheless?
The adverb nevertheless means “in spite of that” or “all the same.” How is it different from the words but, still, however, and yet? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Etymology
Origin of nevertheless
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; replacing natheles, notheles natheless; see never, the 2, less
Compare meaning
How does nevertheless compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A funny-looking adverb that appears to be made up of three words squished together, nevertheless means “even so" or "all the same.” It’s likely that nevertheless evolved from the Middle English neverthelater, a word with the same sense of “despite anything to the contrary” and “notwithstanding.” You might say of your siblings, "Sure we bicker and get sick of each other sometimes. Nevertheless, they’re family and I love them."
Vocabulary lists containing nevertheless
Unit 1: Telling Details
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Charlotte's Web
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Analysts say statements such as Khezrian’s overstate the case, but they nevertheless acknowledge the axis has proved more resilient than expected.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
The researchers have nevertheless begun moving SS-H2 toward large scale production.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
One of the few scenes that makes its point emphatically is nevertheless effective and droll: Meyers contemptuously introduces a rival group of young creative types who frequent the same meeting space.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
The munition maker's shares have nevertheless fallen about 40 percent since a peak last October.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
It was surely impossible for her feeble human eyes to see Clare and Gingersnipes through the underbrush, surely impossible for her feeble human ears to hear their bickering; nevertheless, he felt a chill of fear.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
