1.
still; as before; as ever; unchanged
Indicates that a situation remains the same as before despite the passage of time or changing circumstances. Often used when the lack of change is surprising or noteworthy.
問題は依然として解決されていない。
The problem remains unsolved.
彼は依然として行方不明のままだ。
He is still missing.
規制が強化されたにもかかわらず、違法ダウンロードは依然として後を絶たない。
Despite stricter regulations, illegal downloads still show no sign of stopping.
依然として is a formal adverb used mainly in written Japanese and news reporting. It emphasizes that a situation has not changed despite expectations or efforts to the contrary.
The shorter form 依然 can be used on its own as an adverb with similar meaning, though 依然として is more common.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- まだ: still — neutral and conversational, used in everyday speech
- 相変わらず: as usual, same as always — more casual, can be positive or negative
- なお: still, yet — formal, often used in official documents
依然として is more formal than まだ and carries a stronger nuance that the unchanged state is significant or problematic.