You've probably heard it a thousand times in a meeting or read it in a semi-formal email. Someone lays out a solid point, pauses for dramatic effect, and then drops the hammer: "With that being said..." It’s a linguistic safety blanket. We use it when we need to pivot, but honestly, it’s getting a bit tired. It’s wordy. It’s a mouthful. Sometimes, it’s just plain filler that slows down your point.
If you’re looking for other words for with that being said, you aren’t just looking for a synonym. You’re looking for a way to keep your reader awake. You want to bridge two ideas without sounding like a corporate drone from 2005. The English language is surprisingly flexible if you stop leaning on the same three-word crutch every time you want to show contrast.
Language evolves. What worked in a high school essay feels clunky in a fast-paced Slack thread or a modern blog post. Let’s break down why we use it and, more importantly, what you should be using instead to keep your writing sharp and human.
Why We Get Stuck on With That Being Said
The phrase is a transition. Specifically, it’s an adversarial transition. It tells the reader, "Everything I just told you is true, but now I’m going to tell you something that complicates it." Linguists often categorize these as "concessive connectors." You’re conceding a point before moving to the counterpoint.
The problem? It’s five words long. In a world where attention spans are shorter than a TikTok transition, five words of filler is a lifetime. People use it because it feels "professional," but professional doesn't have to mean "stale."
The Simple Power of Nevertheless and Nonetheless
If you want to keep things formal but cut the fluff, these are your best friends. They are the heavy hitters of the transition world.
Nevertheless is perfect for when you want to emphasize that the second point exists despite the first one. For example: "The weather was absolutely miserable. Nevertheless, the outdoor concert was a massive success." It’s punchy. It’s one word. It does the job of five.
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Nonetheless is almost identical, though some style guides (like Chicago or AP) suggest a subtle difference in usage. Honestly? Most people use them interchangeably. If you want to sound sophisticated without being "extra," go with nonetheless. It carries a certain weight that tells the reader you know exactly what you’re doing.
When You Want to Sound Like a Real Person
Sometimes you don't need a fancy word. You just need to move the conversation along. This is where "still" and "even so" come into play. These are the workhorses of casual, yet professional, communication.
Take a look at this: "I know we’re over budget. Still, we need to hire a new designer."
See how that works? It’s short. It feels like something a real human would actually say over coffee. "Even so" works the same way. It acknowledges the previous statement but moves past it immediately. No grandstanding. No throat-clearing. Just the facts.
The Subtle Art of That Said
If you can't quite quit the original phrase, just chop it down. That said is the lean, mean version of its wordier cousin. It’s become the gold standard in modern journalism and business writing.
Why? Because it’s invisible.
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Good writing often involves staying out of the way of the information. When you use "that said," the reader’s brain processes the transition instantly. It doesn't get snagged on the extra syllables. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a clean jump cut in a movie.
Using However Without Being Boring
We’ve all been told to use "however" since the third grade. It’s safe. It’s reliable. But it can also feel a bit "academic."
If you’re going to use it, try changing the placement. Most people start a sentence with it.
- However, the results were inconclusive. Try putting it in the middle for a more sophisticated rhythm:
- The results, however, were inconclusive.
This shifts the emphasis. It makes the "results" the star of the sentence rather than the transition itself. It’s a small tweak, but it changes the entire energy of the paragraph.
Other Words for With That Being Said in Creative Contexts
If you’re writing a story or a personal essay, you might want something with a bit more flavor. You aren't just looking for a synonym; you're looking for a mood.
- Be that as it may. This one feels a bit more skeptical. It’s like you’re saying, "Maybe that's true, but I'm not totally convinced it matters."
- At the same time. This is great for showing duality. It’s not necessarily a contradiction, but a parallel reality. "The job is incredibly stressful. At the same time, it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done."
- Regardless. This is the "I don't care" of transitions. It shuts down the previous point and focuses entirely on what’s next.
The Danger of Over-Transitioning
Here is a secret that most "expert" writing guides won't tell you: sometimes you don't need a transition at all.
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We often use phrases like with that being said because we’re afraid the reader won't follow our logic. We over-explain the relationship between our sentences. Trust your reader.
Look at these two versions:
- The team was exhausted from the 12-hour shift. With that being said, they stayed late to finish the report.
- The team was exhausted from the 12-hour shift. They stayed late to finish the report anyway.
The second version is stronger. The "anyway" at the end provides all the contrast you need without the clunky lead-in. Sometimes the best synonym is no synonym at all.
How to Choose the Right One
Choosing the right transition depends entirely on your audience and the medium. If you're writing a legal brief, stay formal. If you're writing a text to your boss, keep it brief.
Formal/Academic
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Notwithstanding
- In spite of that
Professional/Business
- That said
- However
- On the other hand
- Still
Casual/Conversational
- Even so
- But
- Anyway
- Mind you
Practical Next Steps for Better Flow
If you want to scrub your writing of these "filler" transitions, start with a "Search and Destroy" mission. Open your last three sent emails or your current draft. Use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and search for "with that being said."
When you find it, don't just swap it for a synonym. Ask yourself if the sentence actually needs it.
Try deleting the phrase entirely. Does the logic still hold up? If it feels too abrupt, try a one-word alternative like "still" or "yet." Notice how much faster the writing feels. Notice how the "human" element of your voice comes through when you stop hiding behind cliches.
Start small. Pick one alternative—maybe "that said"—and make it your new default. Once that feels natural, start experimenting with "nevertheless" or mid-sentence "however" placements. Your readers will thank you for the brevity, and your writing will carry more authority. Clear writing is clear thinking, and clear thinking doesn't need five words to say "but."