as in notwithstanding
without being prevented by
we went to the party despite the bad weather outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in contempt
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
pointedly ignored his false friend out of despite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
sheer despite was the sole reason for her hurtful comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disadvantage
the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success
baffled as to why working-class voters would vote in despite of their own economic interests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despite
al, 6 May 2020
Los Angeles County beaches will remain closed for the time being, despite other coastal stretches reopening — with limitations — this week in nearby Orange County with the state’s blessing.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2020
Andrew Hirschfeld, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2019
And then - despite barely stepping over the halfway line - the hosts hit the crossbar and had a shout for a penalty.
—SI.com, 25 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for despite
Preposition
Through the family’s ups and downs, Copeland was a steadying presence, despite his disability.
—al, 6 May 2020
Los Angeles County beaches will remain closed for the time being, despite other coastal stretches reopening — with limitations — this week in nearby Orange County with the state’s blessing.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2020
Noun
Harris’ campaign fundraising output has stayed consistent in first quarter around $12 million and $11.8 million in second quarter despite, as first reported by Politico, shakeups among senior campaign staff.
—Andrew Hirschfeld, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2019
And then - despite barely stepping over the halfway line - the hosts hit the crossbar and had a shout for a penalty.
—SI.com, 25 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for despite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despite
Preposition
-
Royal scandal notwithstanding, Charles and Camilla married on April 9, 2005, eight years after Diana died in a Paris car crash.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Chenoweth’s magic number notwithstanding, the reasons are less tangible than a simple equation.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump scored one victory on Friday when an appeals court put on hold a threat by District Judge James Boasberg of contempt charges.—
Andrew Chung, Luc Cohen, Kristina Cooke,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
-
One judge this week said there was probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for not taking active steps to follow an order to stop the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to the notorious CECOT Prison in El Salvador.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Slightly off-topic comments can derail it so far away from the original point, and it isn't always done with malice.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
To borrow another logical principle, Hanlon's razor: Don't ascribe to malice that which can be otherwise explained by rank incompetence.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Mitch Raposo: Mitch Raposo needed to negate an eight-inch reach disadvantage against Sumudaerji.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Despite its disadvantages, single living is on the rise.—
Peter McGraw,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Observers called it the perfect mix of effectiveness and disdain.—
Duncan Alexander,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Maher, a lifelong liberal and longtime critic of Trump, has never held back on his disdain for the Republican president’s actions and policies.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In spite of that, Alexander said, intentional misinformation has been circulating that Anthony’s family had bought a new home with the funds raised and was living in luxury.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Hadid, for example, is attractive not because of—but rather in spite of—her eyewear choice.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Another major talking point in the meeting was cost control given the expense of the current and upcoming power unit designs.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Animal Charity spent $15,000 saving Koda's life and is taking donations to help meet those expenses.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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