Notwithstanding Meaning
/ˌnɒtwɪðˈstændɪŋ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
advNevertheless, all the same.
conjAlthough; despite the fact that; even though.
Sentence Examples
She accepted our offer notwithstanding.
He failed notwithstanding my advice.
This problem notwithstanding, progress has been made.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The football match continued, ____ the storm, because the fans refused to leave.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ his lack of experience, he managed to perform exceptionally well in the interview.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English notwithstandinge, notwithstondyng, natwithstandyng, equivalent to not + withstanding. Compare Middle English notgainstonding, not aȝenstondynge, of similar meaning and formation.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But notwithstanding, man,
I'll do you your master what good I can;"
— c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
— 1789, United States Contitution, Supremacy Clause, (Please provide the book title or journal name):
"After this, Amy told her, That notvvithſtanding I vvas angry vvith her, and had uſed her ſo hardly, for ſaying ſomething about her of the ſame kind; yet there vvas an abſolute Neceſſity of ſecuring her, and removing her out of the VVay; […]"
— 1724, [Daniel Defoe], The Fortunate Mistress; […] [Roxana], London: […] E. Applebee, […], published 1740, →OCLC, page 293:
"The firebox married to Britannia's boiler is not, however, in the Doncaster tradition, notwithstanding that it is comparable in dimensions to that of the "V2.""
— 1951 April, Stirling Everard, “A Matter of Pedigree”, in Railway Magazine, number 600, page 273:
"Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done."
— 1675, Richard Allestree, The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The football match continued, ____ the storm, because the fans refused to leave.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ his lack of experience, he managed to perform exceptionally well in the interview.