⚖️ However 🌀 Although

howbeit

9.9

Adds a fact that is different from what came before

adverb
/haʊˈbiːɪt/

Archaic

: sin embargo

The project was challenging; howbeit, we managed to complete it on time.

Examples

5:34 But the witness which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved.

Blog text (4)
8:26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world.

Blog text (4)
The weather was harsh; howbeit, we continued our journey.
He was tired; howbeit, he decided to attend the meeting.

Synonyms

though

vshowbeit

∞ 1.0

It comes at the end of a sentence to mean however

is an old literary alternative rather than a sentence‑end particle

however

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Formal

∞ 2.6

Shows a contrast with what was said before

is the older literary equivalent rather than the common modern form

still

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∞ 1.0

Shows that something is true despite what was said before

is less common in speech and found in historical or literary texts

yet

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899 1.0

In spite of that

is an older written form used in literary contexts rather than speech

nevertheless

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Formal

379 4.1

In spite of that, something still happens

is the same idea but appears chiefly in older literary texts

nonetheless

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264 4.2

Shows that something happens despite what was just said

is more archaic and linked to older or poetic usage

notwithstanding

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Formal

13 6.2

Used to show something is true despite what was said before

is similar but even more marked as an old literary form

withal

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Archaic

1 9.9

Still, despite what came before

is even more archaic and less used in modern speech

howsoever

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Literature

9.2

No matter how difficult something is

is an older, more archaic way to give that contrast

tho

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Texting

8.6

Writers use it informally to show contrast with a previous idea

is formal and archaic rather than casual or internet style

Surface Forms

howbeit positive

Morphology

howbeit = how + be (semi-transparent) = how + beit

Formed from the phrase 'how be it' (how + be) which hints at a concessive meaning, but the fused archaic form and shift to a discourse connective make the meaning not fully predictable to learners.

Etymology

The word howbeit comes from an old phrase made of how + be + it, literally 'how be it' and used to mean 'however' or 'nevertheless'. So howbeit is a short, old-fashioned word used to show contrast or surprise.