36 Synonyms for But: Replacements That Actually Fit the Sentence

But is one of the most useful small words in English, and one of the hardest to replace. That is because it does more than one job. Sometimes it marks a contrast, sometimes it means “except,” and sometimes it means “only.”

So a straight list of look-alike words will not help much. You need to know which job but is doing in your sentence first, then pick a replacement that does the same job. This guide leads with grammar, then gives you 36 replacements grouped by what they actually do.

Quick Answer

The best synonyms for but depend on the sentence. For a contrast at the start of a new sentence, use however, nevertheless, or yet. Inside one sentence, whereas or while often work. When but means “except,” use except or apart from.

First, What Job Is But Doing?

Before you swap but out, ask one question: what is it connecting?

If the two halves disagree or surprise you, it is a contrast: “The plan was simple, but it took all day.” If it leaves something out, it is an exception: “Everyone but Sam came.” If it limits the size or amount, it is “only”: “It was but a short walk.”

That job decides the replacement. A word that works for contrast will sound wrong for an exception, and the other way around. The groups below are built around that test, so start with the group that matches your sentence.

Replacements That Start a New Sentence

These words open a fresh sentence with a contrast. They are stronger and more formal than but, and they need their own sentence — do not just drop one in place of but in the middle of a sentence.

1. However — the safest formal choice. “The hike was long. However, the view was worth it.”
2. Nevertheless — formal, and it stresses that the second point wins despite the first. “It rained all morning. Nevertheless, we finished the walk.”
3. Nonetheless — close to nevertheless, slightly more common in everyday formal writing.
4. Still — shorter and plainer. “The price rose. Still, people kept buying.”
5. Yet — short and a little literary. “He had little time. Yet he helped anyway.”
6. On the other hand — sets up a clear second side. “The job pays well. On the other hand, the hours are long.”
7. In contrast — points to a direct difference. “The first draft was messy. In contrast, the second was clean.”
8. By contrast — the same idea as in contrast, in a slightly shorter form.
9. Conversely — formal, for a reversed or opposite point. “More ads brought more clicks. Conversely, fewer ads brought fewer complaints.”
10. On the contrary — use this only to correct or deny the first idea, not for a mild contrast.
11. Even so — plain and conversational. “The room was small. Even so, it felt comfortable.”
12. All the same — informal, like even so. “It was late. All the same, we stayed for one more song.”

Replacements Inside One Sentence

These words need a sentence rewrite, not a one-for-one swap. They change word order or punctuation, so read the example before you use one.

1. Although — puts the weaker idea first. “Although it rained, we went out.” That replaces “It rained, but we went out.”
2. Though — like although, but a little less formal. “Though it rained, we went out.”
3. Even though — stronger than although; the contrast is surprising. “Even though it rained, we went out.”
4. Whereas — compares two people or things side by side. “Maya likes tea, whereas Jon likes coffee.”
5. While — also compares two sides, and it can sound softer than whereas.
6. Admittedly — concedes a point before pushing back. “Admittedly, the plan costs more. It also lasts longer.”
7. That said — conversational, and it softens a change of direction. “The hotel was plain. That said, the beds were great.”
8. Having said that — the longer, slightly more formal version of that said.
9. Despite this — points back to a problem that did not stop the result. “The train was late. Despite this, we arrived on time.”
10. In spite of this — the same idea, a little wordier than despite this.
11. Notwithstanding — very formal, best kept for legal or academic writing. In most everyday writing, despite this reads better.

Replacements When But Means Except

Here but leaves someone or something out. None of the contrast words above will work in this slot.

1. Except — the direct replacement. “Everyone except Sam came.”
2. Except for — use it before a noun phrase. “Except for the last chapter, I liked the book.”
3. Apart from — close to except for, and a little softer. “Apart from one flat tire, the trip went well.”
4. Other than — works well after words like nothing or no one. “No one other than the manager knew.”
5. Excluding — formal, and common in lists and prices. “The price includes all taxes, excluding delivery.”
6. Barring — formal, for an exception that could still happen. “Barring rain, we will play on Saturday.”
7. Save — old-fashioned and formal; use it only when that tone fits. “All save one had left.”
8. With the exception of — the most formal, wordy option. Save it for official writing.

Replacements When But Means Only, or Corrects the Point

1. Only — the plain replacement for the “merely” sense. “It was only a short walk.”
2. Merely — formal, and it shrinks the point on purpose. “It was merely a short walk.”
3. Just — informal and common. “It was just a short walk.”
4. Rather — corrects the first idea instead of adding to it. “It was not a failure, but a lesson” becomes “It was not a failure; rather, it was a lesson.”
5. Instead — points to a substitute. “We did not drive; instead, we walked.”

How to Choose in Seconds

Your sentence does this	Start here
Contrasts in a new sentence	However, nevertheless, yet
Compares two clauses in one sentence	Whereas, while, although
Leaves something out	Except, apart from, other than
Means “only”	Only, merely, just
Corrects the first idea	Rather, instead

Before-and-After Replacements

• Before: “She was tired, but she kept working.” After: “She was tired. Nevertheless, she kept working.”
• Before: “He is smart, but he is careless.” After: “He is smart, whereas his brother is careful.” (Note: this changes the comparison, so use it only when a comparison is what you mean.)
• Before: “Everyone but Ana stayed late.” After: “Everyone except Ana stayed late.”
• Before: “It was but a scratch.” After: “It was only a scratch.”
• Before: “It was not luck, but hard work.” After: “It was not luck; rather, it was hard work.”
• Before: “The film was long, but I liked it.” After: “Although the film was long, I liked it.”

Grammar and Common Mistakes

• Do not put a comma before however in the middle of a sentence and call it a join. “She was tired, however she kept working” is a run-on. Write two sentences, or use a semicolon: “She was tired; however, she kept working.”
• Do not use although exactly where but sat. “It rained, although we went out” sounds off. Move it to the front: “Although it rained, we went out.”
• Do not use on the contrary for a mild contrast. It denies the first idea. For a mild contrast, use however or on the other hand.
• Watch except after a negative. “Nobody but Sam came” becomes “Nobody except Sam came,” not “Nobody but except Sam came.” Drop the original but when you swap it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best synonym for but in formal writing?

However is usually the safest choice for a new sentence, and nevertheless works when the second point wins despite a problem. For an exception in formal writing, except or with the exception of fits.

Can I start a sentence with but?

Yes, in everyday and most published writing. It is common and clear. In very formal writing, some readers still prefer however at the start of the sentence, so match the tone of the piece you are writing.

What is the difference between however and nevertheless?

However marks a simple contrast. Nevertheless adds the idea that something happened in spite of a difficulty, so it feels stronger. If there is no real obstacle, however is the plainer choice.

Is although a direct synonym for but?

No, not word for word. Although needs a different sentence shape, usually with the weaker idea first. It replaces the meaning of but in a contrast, but you have to rewrite the sentence around it.

What can I use instead of but in the middle of a sentence?

Whereas and while work when you compare two sides. Though can work at the end of a clause: “It was long, though I liked it.” For most other mid-sentence contrasts, starting a new sentence with however is cleaner.

What is a synonym for but when it means except?

Except is the direct one. Apart from and other than also work, and excluding fits lists, prices, and formal writing.

Conclusion

But is hard to replace because it does several jobs, but that is also what makes the replacements useful. Match the job first — contrast, exception, or “only” — then pick from the group that fits. When in doubt, however for a new sentence and except for an exception will carry most sentences cleanly.

For more everyday words, browse the Everyday Words Synonyms collection. For the meaning of but itself, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for but.