notwithstanding

UK: /ˌnɒtwɪðˈstændɪŋ/, /ˌnɒtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/

US: /ˌnɑtwɪðˈstændɪŋ, -wɪθ-/

US: (not′wiᵺ stan′ding, -with-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

not•with•stand•ing /ˌnɑtwɪðˈstændɪŋ, -wɪθ-/   prep. 

1. in spite of:
   Notwithstanding a brilliant defense, he was found guilty.
   [after a noun]
   The doctor's orders notwithstanding, she returned to work.

adv. 

2. nevertheless;
   anyway.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

not•with•stand•ing  (not′wiᵺ stan′ding, -with-), prep. 

1. in spite of;
   without being opposed or prevented by:
   Notwithstanding a brilliant defense, he was found guilty. She went to the game anyway, doctor's orders notwithstanding.

conj. 

2. in spite of the fact that;
   although:
   It was the same material, notwithstanding the texture seemed different.

adv. 

3. nevertheless;
   anyway;
   yet:
   We were invited notwithstanding.

• 1350–1400; Middle English (preposition, adverb, adverbial, and conj.); see not, withstand, -ing²

Synonyms

• 1. .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.

Antonyms

• 1. . because of, on account of.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

notwithstanding / ˌnɒtwɪθˈstændɪŋ -wɪð-/ preposition

1. (often immediately postpositive) in spite of; despite

conjunction (subordinating)

1. despite the fact that; although

sentence_connector

1. in spite of that; nevertheless

Etymology: 14th Century: not + withstanding, from Old English withstandan, on the model of Medieval Latin non obstante, Old French non obstant