Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare via emailShare via Facebook Messenger

Notwithstanding Definition

Updated on May 13, 2019Grammar

Have you ever encountered the word notwithstanding? You might think it looks like three separate words stuck together—not, with, and standing. But if you think about the definitions of those three words, the term doesn’t make any sense. What does notwithstanding mean? How can you use it? Today is the time to define and learn the purpose of this handy word.

Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write.

Your writing, at its best
Grammarly helps you communicate confidently

Notwithstanding definition

Notwithstanding means “despite.” Let’s look at notwithstanding in a sentence, first as a preposition:

Notwithstanding his nervousness, the young man looked his interviewer directly in the eyes as he answered the questions.

You can also place notwithstanding after its object, so you’ll often see it used like this:

His nervousness notwithstanding , the young man looked his interviewer directly in the eyes as he answered the questions.

Notwithstanding can also function as an adverb. Its meaning is close to “nevertheless” or “in spite of this”:

Although he didn’t have a lot of experience, they decided to hire him notwithstanding .

Finally, notwithstanding can serve as a conjunction. In those cases, notwithstanding means “although,” or “in spite of.” Here’s an example:

Notwithstanding that he wasn’t qualified on paper, the interviewer recommended him for hire based on his great potential.

Common expressions with notwithstanding

Notwithstanding often appears in certain expressions.

  • “Notwithstanding the foregoing” means “in spite of the things previously mentioned or written.”
  • “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary” is legal language that declares that a clause supersedes anything forthcoming that might contradict it.

Notwithstanding quotes from literature

Now that you understand what notwithstanding means, you might be interested in how master writers employ it.

I know that you’re selfish, selfish beyond words, and I know that you haven’t the nerve of a rabbit, I know you’re a liar and a humbug, I know that you’re utterly contemptible. And the tragic part is’–her face was on a sudden distraught with pain— ‘the tragic part is that notwithstanding I love you with all my heart’.
W. Somerset Maugham,The Painted Veil

When I speak of home, I speak of the place where in default of a better—those I love are gathered together; and if that place where a gypsy’s tent, or a barn, I should call it by the same good name notwithstanding .
Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

What will you do the next time you see notwithstanding? You might smile because you know its definition. Better yet, you might just use it yourself.

Your writing, at its best.
Works on all your favorite websites
iPhone and iPad KeyboardAndroid KeyboardChrome BrowserSafari BrowserFirefox BrowserEdge BrowserWindows OSMicrosoft Office
Related Articles
Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox.