notwithstanding
Americanpreposition
conjunction
adverb
preposition
conjunction
Related Words
Notwithstanding, despite, in spite of imply that something is true even though there are obstacles or opposing conditions. The three expressions may be used practically interchangeably. Notwithstanding suggests, however, a hindrance of some kind: Notwithstanding the long delay, I shall still go. Despite indicates that there is an active opposition: Despite procrastination and disorganization, they finished the project. In spite of implies meeting strong opposing forces or circumstances that must be taken into account: She succeeded in spite of many discouragements.
Etymology
Origin of notwithstanding
1350–1400; Middle English (preposition, adverb, and conjunction); not, withstand, -ing 2
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.
Iskander’s David is a young man whose youthful piety and heroism make him a sympathetic figure, notwithstanding the bag of cold cuts.
From Salon
But to withstand legal challenges, legislators employed a unique Canadian invention, the controversial "notwithstanding clause".
From BBC
Why does the Mayan world remain so alien, notwithstanding the extraordinary work of Mr. Stuart and his peers?
More and more, Nvidia is moving toward being a full platform with an ecosystem of hardware, software, and partnerships that could be sticky like Apple’s, notwithstanding growing competition in the AI chip market.
From Barron's
“Until clarity improves, this episode is likely to weigh as a near‑term overhang, notwithstanding our expectation that operating metrics continue to trend positively over the medium-term,” they add.
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.