anyway

adverb

any·​way ˈe-nē-ˌwā How to pronounce anyway (audio)
1
: in any way whatever : anywise
2
: in any case : without regard to other considerations : anyhow
She knew it was dangerous, but she did it anyway.
3
: as an additional consideration or thought
We don't need a new car, and anyway, we can't afford one.

Examples of anyway in a Sentence

The road got worse, but they kept going anyway. I didn't expect her to say “yes,” but I asked her anyway. It makes no difference what we say. She's going to do what she wants anyway. He's far from perfect, but she loves him anyway.
Recent Examples on the Web End of carousel Even if the funding interruption had lasted into Saturday or Sunday, the effects would probably have been muted: Many federal workers at unfunded agencies would be off for the weekend, anyway. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 And no one wants to touch those germy air nozzles, which only provide a hissing draft of dry air anyway. Eric Rosen, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 As California hills are greening up with spring rains (well, most years, anyway), grocery stores and farmers markets are starting to have glorious new greenery, too. Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 There’s a new crop of talent fighting for the title anyway. Buddha Lo, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 The potential harms from AI chatbots aren’t as visible in the public eye — yet, anyway. Wes Davis, The Verge, 19 Mar. 2024 At the same time, Racine County prosecutors began receiving reports of area residents who did not agree to sign the petitions finding their names on the documents anyway. Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 In literature, anyway, the lyrical suggests a wave of praise and celebration, whereas the satirical indicates particles of jeering condemnation. Benjamin Kunkel, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 But Kimmel shamed him into doing it anyway, and the exceedingly buff and hairless Cena crab-walked sideways across the stage, his privates seemingly covered only by a large envelope. USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anyway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anyway was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near anyway

Cite this Entry

“Anyway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anyway. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anyway

adverb
any·​way ˈen-ē-ˌwā How to pronounce anyway (audio)
: anyhow

More from Merriam-Webster on anyway

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