What does “notwithstanding” mean?
- 1
prepositiondespite something, in formal or legal language
Notwithstanding the bad weather, the event was a success.
- 2
adverbhowever; despite this
The plan was risky; they went ahead notwithstanding.
Notwithstanding at a glance
- Part of speech
- preposition & adverb
- CEFR level
- C2 (proficient)
- Pronunciation
- /ˌnɑtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/ · not-with-STAN-ding
How to use “notwithstanding” correctly
Very formal and common in contracts. It can come after the noun: “these problems notwithstanding”.
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- despite
- in spite of
- nevertheless
“notwithstanding” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- upon prepositionB2on; a more formal word
- despite prepositionB1without being stopped by something; even though something is true
- as prepositionA2in the role or function of
- including prepositionA2used to show that someone or something is part of a group or total
- without prepositionA2not having or using something
- about prepositionA1on the subject of; connected with
- at prepositionA1used to show an exact place or position
- by prepositionA1used to show who or what does something