nonetheless means nevertheless. It carries an Arena rating of 1434, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, nonetheless ranks #2,879 of 17,116 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #5,415 of 17,122 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #6,497 of 17,114 for Most Satisfying to Say, #7,086 of 17,113 for Most Elegant Words.
nonetheless is pronounced /ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs/.
Why “nonetheless” is a great word
It means “in spite of that” or “nevertheless,” conceding a point while resolutely introducing a counterpoint. From Middle English *natheles*, from Old English *nā þȳ lǣs* (“not the less”), later modified by analogy with *none* to form *none the less*, eventually contracted into the single word *nonetheless*. Unlike “however,” which pivots with a light contrast, or “notwithstanding,” which stands stiff and legalistic, “nonetheless” performs a quiet act of intellectual stubbornness—acknowledging the full weight of an obstacle before stepping over it. It is the steady rain falling on a just-concluded parade, the step taken forward on a leg that still aches, the decision to speak plainly despite knowing all the reasons for staying quiet—a small, unadorned testament to the human will to proceed against the prevailing evidence.
Etymology
A modification of natheless after none, from Middle English natheles, from Old English nān þȳ lǣs, nā þē lǣs, nā þȳ lǣs. By surface analysis, none + the + less.
adv
- Nevertheless.e.g.“And "Juno" is the kind of movie all indie comedies wish they could be: light and lovable, perhaps a bit too pleased with the cleverness of its dialogue, but a small charmer nonetheless.”
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