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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The weather might not be full-on fall yet, but your favorite seasonal festivities are beginning anyway. Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025 The people who hate your work were never going to buy anyway. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 For one, total-calorie sales can be a misleading metric; when ConAgra and its peers made their pledge, the industry’s total-calorie sales were trending down anyway, likely due in part to the Great Recession and shrinkflation. Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2025 But as Coster-Waldau, now 55, shares, fans likely weren't going to be entirely happy anyway. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anyway

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

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Cite this Entry

“Anyway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anyway. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

anyway

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

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