Added 9 October 2026
notwithstanding
/ˌnɒtwɪðˈstændɪŋ/ adverb
adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about notwithstanding at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Nevertheless, all the same.
He, notwithstanding, persisted in his inquiries.
conjunction
preposition
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In spite of, despite.
Notwithstanding personal preferences, the school district's rules on the topic govern our decision.
Origin
From Middle English notwithstandinge, notwithstondyng, natwithstandyng, equivalent to not + withstanding. Compare Middle English notgainstonding, not aȝenstondynge, of similar meaning and formation.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)