Other Ways To Say But

We often find ourselves trapped in the confines of our language, limited by the repetitive and predictable use of certain words. One such word that has become so ingrained in our everyday conversations is but. It is a simple conjunction that connects two contrasting ideas, but it has grown tired and overused.

Table of Contents

What does mean But?

The word “but” is a conjunction that is commonly used to introduce a contrast or contradiction between two ideas or clauses in a sentence. It indicates a shift in thought or direction, often highlighting a difference between the preceding information and what is about to be stated. In essence, “but” is used to show opposition, exception, or a conflict between two statements. It is a way to connect contrasting or conflicting ideas within a sentence or a larger piece of writing.

Here are 10 Alternative words for But:

Yet
However
Although
Though
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Even so
Conversely
On the other hand
Still

At any rate
But then
Be that as it may
Despite
Yet
Still and all
That being noted
However
Although
But even
In contrast
Still, even so
Even so
But rather
Albeit
Then again, though
While
At the same time
Even given that
On another note
Nonetheless
All the same
On the other hand
Then again
At the same token
That said
Even supposing
Otherwise
Without regard
Yet again
In any respect
Just the same
But then again
Even if
On a different note
All things considered
Even while
But still
Notwithstanding
Conversely
On the negative side
On the flip side
Just as
And yet
Still, though
That being said
In any situation
However, though
Contrarily
However it may be
Nevertheless
In its place
Alternatively
Yet still
In spite of that
All the time
After all
Even when
Though
In any event
In contrast to
In any case
Even though it may be
To the contrary
In any way
Even though
Unlike
Be that it is
On the contrary
Regardless
All the while

Must Lean: Other Ways To Say Nice To Meet You

Formal Ways to Say But

In spite of
Even if
On the other hand
In spite of that
Yet
Even though
Albeit
Still and all
In any situation
Having said that
In contrast
Notwithstanding
Nonetheless
While
Even so
Yet again
Despite
Granted
Even as
Without regard to
Then again
In any event
Yet still
Nevertheless
Conversely
However
By contrast
At the same time
Although
Admittedly
Whereas
But still
Just the same
In any case
Though
Be that as it may
On the contrary
That being said
Still
All the same
In all honesty
In spite of this
But then again

Informal Ways to Say But

But even
Like, still
Still though, like
But nah
But no
Yet again
But seriously though
Even in
But really though
But on another note
That said
Still and all
But like, seriously
But like, really
Even if
But honestly
Still though
But seriously
Like, however
Still
Even with
But like
Even though
Like, though
But then
But regardless
But at the same time
Nevertheless
But hey
But, like, honestly
But, like, still
Then again though
But like, honestly
On a different note
Even so
Yet
But wait
But yeah
But, you know
Nonetheless
But actually
But anyhow
But really
On the flip side
But then again
But honestly though
But I mean
However
Though
Then again

Idiomatic Ways to Say But

However: I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to finish my assignment first.
Nevertheless: The weather was bad, nevertheless we decided to go for a hike.
Yet: She studied hard for the exam, yet she didn’t perform as well as expected.
On the other hand: I love chocolate cake, but on the other hand, I’m trying to eat healthier.
Although: Although it was raining, we still managed to have a great picnic.
Even so: The movie was long and slow, but we stayed until the end even so.
Still: He’s a bit shy, but he can still give a great presentation.
Nonetheless: She was tired after work, nonetheless, she went to the gym.
In contrast: The first book was exciting, in contrast the second one was quite boring.
Notwithstanding: He was nervous, notwithstanding, he delivered a flawless speech.
Even though: Even though it was his birthday, he decided to work late.
Conversely: I expected the movie to be boring, but conversely, it turned out to be really entertaining.
In spite of: In spite of his fear of heights, he climbed to the top of the mountain.
Despite: Despite the traffic jam, we arrived at the party on time.
Though: She’s very talented, though she’s quite modest about her achievements.
Whilst: He likes to read, whilst his sister prefers to watch movies.
In any event: He’s not the best player, but he always gives his all in any event.
Alternatively: You could take the bus, alternatively, you could walk to the destination.
Then again: The cake is tempting, but then again, I’m on a diet.
Be that as it may: He’s often late, but we value his contributions, be that as it may.
Not to mention: She’s an amazing singer, not to mention a talented dancer.
In any case: The food was expensive, but in any case, the experience was worth it.
By contrast: The first book was dry and academic, by contrast, the second one was engaging and accessible.
At the same time: I want to travel the world, at the same time, I have work commitments.
All the same: The idea sounds crazy, but I’ll give it a try all the same.

Professional Ways to Say But

Regrettably
In either case
All things considered
Nonetheless
In the meantime
Even so
However
Even though
In any case
Granted
Still
Without denying
On the flip side
Nevertheless
At the same time
In the same breath
Despite this
That said
By contrast
Conversely
Meanwhile
In the same vein
Alternatively
In any event
Equally important
On the contrary
Notwithstanding
For all that
In spite of
All the same
In contrast
All too often
On the other hand
In spite of this
Then again
Yet again
Yet

FAQS

What are some other words I can use instead of “but“?

There are several alternatives you can use, such as “however,” “nevertheless,” “yet,” “although,” “even so,” “still,” “on the other hand,” and many more. These words can help you maintain a more varied and nuanced writing style.

How can I maintain a professional tone while avoiding repetitive use of “but”?

To maintain a professional tone and avoid repetition, you can employ transitional phrases like “nonetheless,” “in contrast,” “alternatively,” and “on the contrary.” These phrases help you convey contrast and provide a smoother flow to your writing or speech.

Can I use these alternatives interchangeably with “but”?

While the alternatives can often be used interchangeably with “but,” it’s essential to consider the context and desired emphasis. Some alternatives may be more suitable for formal writing, while others might work better in casual conversations. Experiment with different options to see which ones fit your specific situation and style.

What does mean But?