100 Words to Use Instead of “But”

No.	Term	Definition
1.	A caveat is	Introduces a limiting exception.
2.	albeit	Although it is true.
3.	Alone except	Excludes all others besides one.
4.	alternatively	Presents another option instead.
5.	and yet	Shows contrast after addition.
6.	anyway	Shifts focus despite objections.
7.	at the same time	Contrasts while acknowledging both sides.
8.	bar that	Except for that case.
9.	Barring that	Except if that happens.
10.	be that as it may	Admits a point, then pivots.
11.	Behind that	Contrasts stated reason with deeper cause.
12.	besides	Adds a contrasting consideration.
13.	by contrast	Highlights an opposing difference.
14.	Caveat:	Marks an important exception.
15.	Contrary to that	Opposes the previous point.
16.	conversely	Introduces the opposite viewpoint.
17.	counter to that	Signals disagreement with the previous idea.
18.	despite that	Shows opposition to what was said.
19.	Different from that	Marks a contrast in comparison.
20.	different though	Acknowledges difference after agreement.
21.	Difficult as that is	Concedes difficulty, then continues.
22.	Even if so	Concedes possibility, then contrasts.
23.	even so	Concedes, then contrasts.
24.	Even then	Despite that condition; still.
25.	except	Excludes one case from a statement.
26.	except for	Makes an exception to the rule.
27.	except that	Adds a limiting contrast.
28.	failing that	If not, then.
29.	for all its	Despite its good points.
30.	for all that	Despite everything mentioned.
31.	for all their	Despite their good points.
32.	For all you know	Despite assumptions, it may be otherwise.
33.	for all your	Despite your good points.
34.	For one thing	Adds a counterpoint among others.
35.	granted	Admits a point before disagreeing.
36.	Granted that	Concedes a premise before contrasting.
37.	Granted, still	Concedes, then maintains opposition.
38.	Hard though it may be	Concedes hardship, then contrasts.
39.	having said that	Softens a shift to contrast.
40.	however	Introduces a contrast or exception.
41.	However that may be	Concedes uncertainty, then continues.
42.	If anything	Suggests the opposite is true.
43.	if not	Corrects to a stronger alternative.
44.	in any case	Moves on despite the contrast.
45.	in contrast	Shows an opposing comparison.
46.	in spite of that	Contrasts with what preceded.
47.	in the end	Concludes despite earlier points.
48.	in the meantime	Contrasts timing while continuing.
49.	in turn	Introduces a responding contrast.
50.	instead	Replaces the prior option.
51.	Just not	Corrects by negating the prior idea.
52.	just the same	Despite that, still.
53.	Kind of, but	Partial agreement before contrast.
54.	lest	Introduces a negative outcome to avoid.
55.	Let alone	Emphasizes contrast with a stronger case.
56.	meanwhile	Contrasts with a parallel situation.
57.	mind you	Adds a clarifying contrast.
58.	more accurately	Corrects the previous statement.
59.	more precisely	Refines the previous statement.
60.	Much as I’d like to	Concedes desire, then contrasts.
61.	nevertheless	Contrasts while maintaining the main point.
62.	nonetheless	Contrasts despite what was said.
63.	Not that	Clarifies a mistaken inference.
64.	notwithstanding	Despite that; still.
65.	of course	Concedes a point before contrasting.
66.	On second thought	Revises with a contrasting view.
67.	on the contrary	Directly opposes the previous claim.
68.	on the flip side	Introduces the opposite perspective.
69.	on the other hand	Presents an alternative viewpoint.
70.	only	Adds a limiting exception.
71.	only that	Limits the statement with an exception.
72.	or rather	Corrects what was just said.
73.	otherwise	If not, then a different result.
74.	per contra	On the contrary; opposingly.
75.	Provided that	Introduces a condition limiting the claim.
76.	Quite the opposite	States the reverse is true.
77.	rather	Signals preference instead.
78.	Rather than that	Proposes an alternative choice.
79.	regardless	Despite that; anyway.
80.	save for	Except for.
81.	save that	Except for that point.
82.	still	Despite that; nevertheless.
83.	still and all	Even so; despite everything.
84.	Still, though	Maintains contrast after concession.
85.	That being said	Signals a shift to contrast.
86.	that said	Introduces a contrasting follow-up.
87.	then again	Reconsiders with a contrasting thought.
88.	though	Introduces contrast, often after a clause.
89.	to be fair	Balances by adding a contrasting point.
90.	to the contrary	In opposition to that.
91.	true, but	Concedes then contrasts.
92.	Unless	Introduces an exception condition.
93.	unlike that	Contrasts with what was mentioned.
94.	When it comes to	Shifts scope for a contrast.
95.	whereas	Contrasts two clauses.
96.	while	Contrasts two ideas.
97.	with that said	Transitions into a contrast.
98.	With the exception of	Excludes one thing from the statement.
99.	Yes, but	Acknowledges, then disagrees.
100.	yet	Shows contrast despite expectation.