However Synonyms | Uses & Example Sentences
The conjunctive adverb however essentially means “but,” and it’s used to express contrast with a previously introduced idea. However can also mean “in whatever way.”
Some synonyms for however are:
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Yet
- Though
- Although
- Notwithstanding
- Still
- Even so
- In spite of that
- Despite that
- Just the same
- Be that as it may
- Albeit
- Any way
- Whichever way
- No matter how
- In any matter
- Regardless of how
Synonyms for however
Some synonyms for however are closer grammatical matches than others, meaning you can interchange the words without rewriting the sentence. Some weaker synonyms—like “albeit”—may require heavier sentence rewrites.
| Match | Match | However example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest | Nevertheless | She travels by airplane frequently for work; however, she’s a nervous flier. | She travels by airplane frequently for work; nevertheless, she’s a nervous flier. |
| Nonetheless | I burned the steak a bit on one side; however, it was still good. | I burned the steak a bit on one side; nonetheless, it was still good. | |
| Notwithstanding | Bran realized he would miss his flight. However, he remained calm. | Bran realized he would miss his flight. Notwithstanding, he remained calm. | |
| Still | I hate driving. However, I have a license. | I hate driving. Still, I have a license. | |
| Strong | Though | This diamond only weighs 0.3 carats. Its clarity, however, is amazing. | This diamond only weighs 0.3 carats. Its clarity, though, is amazing. |
| Although | I know she’s traveling the world; however, I’m not sure where she is at the moment. | I know she’s traveling the world although I’m not sure where she is at the moment. | |
| Yet | We realized we’d been walking toward the wrong mountain; however, our hike was still beautiful. | We realized we’d been walking toward the wrong mountain, yet our hike was still beautiful. | |
| Even so | Marian hates her ex-boyfriend. However, she still felt sympathy upon learning about his mother’s accident. | Marian hates her ex-boyfriend. Even so, she still felt sympathy upon learning about his mother’s accident. | |
| In spite of that | The food wasn’t that good. However, the ambience is unmatched. | The food wasn’t that good. In spite of that, the ambience is unmatched. | |
| Despite that | Joana’s apartment is small and old. However, it’s very cozy. | Joana’s apartment is small and old. Despite that, it’s very cozy. | |
| Be that as it may | She didn’t want to go to the theater. However, she went because her mother wanted to. | She didn’t want to go to the theater. Be that as it may, she went because her mother wanted to. | |
| Weak | On the other hand | Sheila loves the London underground. However, she hates the city’s buses. | Sheila loves the London underground. On the other hand, she hates the city’s buses. |
| Albeit | This whisky is delicious. However, it’s expensive. | This whisky is delicious, albeit expensive. |
- If however comes at the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after it (e.g., “We don’t like chocolate. However, we like lemon”).
- If however comes at the end of a sentence, put a comma before it (We don’t like chocolate. We like lemon, however”).
- If however comes between two independent clauses, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it (e.g., “We don’t like chocolate; however, we like lemon”).
- If however comes in the middle of a clause, put a comma before and after it (e.g., “We do, however, like lemon”).
For synonyms for however, the rules may vary. A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use however and its synonyms correctly.
When however means in “in whatever way,” its synonyms usually require fewer sentence rewrites.
| Match | Synonym | However example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest | Any way | However you analyze the results, the data remains consistent. | Any way you analyze the results, the data remains consistent. |
| Whichever way | However you look at it, he’s a hero. | Whichever way you look at it, he’s a hero. | |
| Strong | No matter how | However much he spends, he’ll still have a lot of money. | No matter how much he spends, he’ll still have a lot of money. |
| In any manner | You can approach this task however you want. | You can approach this task in any manner you want. | |
| Regardless of how | However you interpret the results, the conclusion remains consistent. | Regardless of how you interpret the results, the conclusion remains consistent. |
Frequently asked questions about however synonyms
- Is however an adverb?
-
Yes, however can be classified as an adverb when used as follows:
Use Example As a conjunctive adverb to mean “but” It is currently designated as agricultural land. However, this could change next year when new legislation is introduced. To introduce a dependent clause to mean “no matter how” It needs to be finished today however long it takes. Like an interrogative adverb to express surprise in a question However could you possibly think that? You may need to include a comma before or after “however” depending on how and where it is used in a sentence.
- Do you use a comma or semicolon before however?
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Both are possible when however is used as a conjunctive adverb to mean “but.”
We put a semicolon before however when it is showing contrast between two independent clauses (e.g., “We have not reached our goal; however, we are only at the beginning of our journey”).
We put a comma before however when it is used at the beginning or at the end of a sentence or clause (e.g. “We are, however, only at the beginning,” “We are only at the beginning, however”).
- Is “however” a coordinating conjunction?
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No, “however” is not a coordinating conjunction. Instead, it is classified as a conjunctive adverb or a discourse marker when used in sentences like this: “However, I would not recommend using the product to clean plastic surfaces.”
- Is “however” a conjunctive adverb?
-
“However” is a conjunctive adverb. Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that act in a similar way to conjunctions, linking the ideas in two sentences or statements together.
To join two independent clauses together with a conjunctive adverb, use a period or a semicolon after the first clause and a comma after the conjunctive adverb. For example, “the cat chased the mouse; however, the mouse got away.”
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you use conjunctive adverbs correctly.
- Can you start a sentence with however?
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Yes, you can start a sentence with however. In this context, “however” is a conjunctive adverb and introduces an idea that contrasts with the preceding sentence. When used at the beginning of a sentence, “however” should be followed by a comma.
For example:
- It’s winter. However, today it’s not cold.
- I don’t like cheese. However, I like pizza.
- The forecast predicted sunny weather. However, it rained all day.
If you use a synonym for however, keep in mind that it may not follow the same placement rules.
When in doubt, a QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use “however” and other words like it correctly.
