17 Synonyms for But | Another Word for But (With Examples)

You use the word "but" all the time—right? It's small, simple, and super common. But did you know there are many fun and easy words that can take its place? Words like "however," "although," and "yet" can make your writing or talking sound smoother and more interesting. In this post, I'll share 17 of the best synonyms for "but," show you how to use them, and give you examples you can use every day. Let's make words more fun!

1. However

The word "however" shows contrast between two ideas. It sounds a little more formal than "but." You can use it in writing or speaking to sound smoother. "I wanted to go outside. However, it started to rain." It's great for making your thoughts clearer. Use it when you want to show a change or a different idea. It works well at the start of a sentence or in the middle. "She tried hard; however, she didn't win."

2. Although

"Although" is great when you want to show that something happens even if it seems like it shouldn't. It connects two ideas that don't match. "Although it was cold, they went swimming." You can use it at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. It makes your sentences more interesting and helps you explain two sides. "He smiled, although he was sad." It's a smooth way to show contrast and sounds a little more thoughtful than "but."

3. Though

"Though" is a softer word for "but." It can be used just like "although." You can put it at the start or end of a sentence. "Though it was late, they kept playing." Or you can say, "They kept playing, though it was late." It sounds more casual and friendly than "although" or "however." It's often used in talking or relaxed writing. It's a short word that helps show differences in a natural, easy way.

4. Nevertheless

"Nevertheless" is a longer word, but it's a cool way to say "but." It's used in writing or formal talking. It shows that something happened even if there was a problem. "It was raining. Nevertheless, they went for a walk." It gives your sentence a smooth, smart sound. You can also use it like this: "She failed the test. Nevertheless, she didn't give up." It's a powerful word that makes your point clear and strong while keeping the tone polite.

5. Nonetheless

"Nonetheless" is very close to "nevertheless" and is used the same way. It shows contrast between two ideas. "He was tired. Nonetheless, he kept working." You can think of it as a fancy "but" that fits nicely in writing. It makes your sentences more serious or thoughtful. It can help show that something happened even when it was difficult. "The mountain was steep. Nonetheless, they climbed to the top." Try it when you want to sound just a little smarter!

6. Still

"Still" is a simple word that works like "but." It shows that something continues even when you don't expect it. "She was angry. Still, she helped him." It's short, clear, and very easy to use. You can use it at the beginning of a sentence to show contrast. It's also great for stories or speaking. "The dog was loud. Still, the neighbors loved it." Use it to show a surprise or to point out something unexpected.

7. Yet

"Yet" is a short, punchy way to say "but." It shows contrast, often between effort and result. "He studied hard, yet he failed." It's easy to use and fits well in both writing and speaking. It adds a nice twist or surprise to your sentence. "She's young, yet very wise." Use "yet" when you want to show something surprising or different from what you expected. It's small but very powerful in how it changes the meaning.

8. Even so

"Even so" shows that something happened despite what came before. It adds a little surprise. "The road was closed. Even so, they found a way." It's two words, but very easy to use. It's great in stories and talking. "He was nervous. Even so, he gave a great speech." It helps show bravery or effort even when things are tough. Use it when you want to make your sentence feel hopeful or strong, despite a problem.

9. On the other hand

"On the other hand" is great when you want to show two sides of something. It's good for comparing ideas. "The job pays well. On the other hand, it's very stressful." This phrase helps balance your thoughts. It's perfect in writing or talking when you want to explain both the good and the bad. "Living in the city is fun. On the other hand, it's very noisy." It helps keep things fair and easy to understand.

10. Conversely

"Conversely" is a fancy word that shows the opposite idea. It works well in writing, especially in essays. "Big dogs are often friendly. Conversely, small dogs can be grumpy." It tells the reader that the next point is the opposite of the first. "He loves cold weather. Conversely, his brother hates it." This word helps you make your writing stronger and clearer. Use it when you want to show a clear switch in your ideas or opinions.

11. All the same

"All the same" is a fun way to say "but" in casual speech or writing. It means something is true even if something else makes it hard. "It was late. All the same, they kept playing." It has a friendly sound and helps keep your writing relaxed. "She wasn't invited. All the same, she showed up." This phrase adds a twist and helps you say, "Yes, that happened, but here's what else happened." It keeps things interesting.

12. Notwithstanding

"Notwithstanding" is a formal word, but it works like "but" or "despite." It means something happened even with a problem. "Notwithstanding the storm, the game continued." It's used more in writing than speaking. "He succeeded, notwithstanding his lack of experience." It's strong and sounds smart. Use it when you want to show something happened in spite of something else. It's helpful for school essays or serious writing when you want to show a sharp contrast between two ideas.

13. That said

"That said" is a way to change direction in your thoughts. It's casual and feels like normal talking. "He's a good worker. That said, he often comes in late." It means you're going to say something a little different now. "The cake was dry. That said, it still tasted good." This phrase keeps your sentence light and easy to follow. It helps you share both sides of something in a fun, smooth way. Use it in writing or talking.

14. Be that as it may

"Be that as it may" is a longer way to say "but," and it sounds a bit old-fashioned or formal. "He apologized. Be that as it may, the damage was done." It's used to say, "Even if that's true, this is also true." It helps you share another idea without ignoring the first one. "She's new. Be that as it may, she knows what she's doing." This phrase is great when you want to keep things polite but firm.

15. Despite that

"Despite that" shows that something happened even with a reason it shouldn't. "It rained all day. Despite that, we had fun." It connects two ideas clearly and simply. It's easy to understand and works in both talking and writing. "He was tired. Despite that, he stayed awake." It gives your sentence a feeling of strength, like the second part is pushing through a problem. Use it when you want to say, "This was true, but something else happened too."

16. In contrast

"In contrast" is great for showing the difference between two things. It's used in writing to compare ideas clearly. "Cats are quiet. In contrast, dogs are loud." It helps the reader see a big change between two ideas. "She is very outgoing. In contrast, her brother is shy." It sounds smart but is still easy to use. Use it in essays, reports, or even just to make your thoughts more organized and clear when comparing two different things.

17. Albeit

"Albeit" means "even though" and is a fancy way to show contrast. It's one word but feels formal. "He was kind, albeit strict." It helps you add more meaning to your sentence. It's usually used to describe something by adding a small detail that changes the idea a little. "She passed the test, albeit barely." You won't use it much in speaking, but it's great in writing when you want to sound thoughtful and smart without using too many words.

Final Thoughts

So now you know—there's more to life than just "but"! From "however" to "albeit," these 17 synonyms help you sound smoother, smarter, and more interesting. They work in everyday talking, writing stories, school essays, or just when you want to mix things up a bit. Learning these is like adding fun new tools to your word box. Use them to compare ideas, show contrast, or surprise your readers. Keep practicing, and you'll be a word master in no time!