Found 16 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Concession (sentence starter)
Nuance: Despite
Most direct replacement in essays.
Boring
Though it was late, he kept reading.
Better
Although it was late, he kept reading.
Contrast (two clauses)
Nuance: Contrast
Use in one sentence with two clauses.
Boring
It was late, though he kept reading.
Better
It was late, but he kept reading.
Despite that (two sentences)
Nuance: Despite
Short, common “despite that.”
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. Even so, they kept trying.
Despite that (two sentences)
Nuance: Despite
Good for two sentences; “despite that.”
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. Still, they kept trying.
Concession (short)
Nuance: Despite
Short and strong.
Boring
He was tired, though he finished.
Better
He was tired, yet he finished.
Despite that
Nuance: Despite
Similar to still/nevertheless.
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. All the same, they kept trying.
Contrast (two sentences)
Nuance: Despite
Great for essays; clear contrast.
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. However, they kept trying.
Despite that (phrase)
Nuance: Despite
Clear but longer.
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. In spite of that, they kept trying.
Contrast (formal)
Nuance: Contrast
Formal; essay-friendly.
Boring
The task was hard. We finished, though.
Better
The task was hard. Nevertheless, we finished.
Contrast (formal)
Nuance: Contrast
Formal and correct.
Boring
The plan was risky. We tried, though.
Better
The plan was risky. Nonetheless, we tried.
Balanced contrast
Nuance: Balanced
Balanced essay transition.
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. That said, they kept trying.
Concession (essay word)
Nuance: Balanced
Strong for formal writing.
Boring
Though the task was difficult, we finished.
Better
Admittedly, the task was difficult; however, we finished.
Concession (very formal)
Nuance: Very formal
Very formal; often short phrase.
Boring
The plan worked, though slowly.
Better
The plan worked, albeit slowly.
Very formal contrast
Nuance: Formal
Very formal; use rarely.
Boring
It was difficult. They kept trying, though.
Better
It was difficult. Be that as it may, they kept trying.
Concession (acknowledge)
Nuance: Balanced
Acknowledges then adds a point.
Boring
Though the test was hard, most students improved.
Better
Granted that the test was hard, most students improved.
Concession (formal)
Nuance: Formal
Formal; use carefully.
Boring
Though there were risks, they continued.
Better
Notwithstanding the risks, they continued.