despite

1 open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect <pointedly ignored his false friend out of despite> Synonyms contemptuousness, despisement, contempt, despitefulness, disdain, misprision, scornRelated Words abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, lovelessness; cattiness, hatefulness, invidiousness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, spite, spitefulness; aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, odium, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jealousy, pique, resentment; bile, jaundice, rancor, spleen, venom, vindictiveness, virulence, vitriol; aspersion, belittlement, deprecation, depreciation, detraction, diminishment, disparagement; derision, mockery, ridicule; abuse, invective, vituperation; censure, condemnation, denunciationNear Antonyms acceptance, tolerance; adoration, adulation, deference, deification, glorification, idolatry, idolization, lionization, reverence, veneration, worship; affection, fancy, fondness, liking, loveAntonyms admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect

2 the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm <sheer despite was the sole reason for her hurtful comments> Synonyms cattiness, malice, hatefulness, malevolence, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousnessRelated Words abusiveness, cruelty; abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor, resentment; despicableness, invidiousness; vengefulness, vindictiveness; aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; bitchery, bitchiness, contempt, disdain; jealousy, pique, resentment, scorn; bile, rancor, virulence, vitriolNear Antonyms devotion, love, passion; amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality; adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship; affection, charity, kindliness, kindness; comity, empathy, friendship, goodwill, sympathy, understanding

3 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 disadvantage, detriment, disfavor, penaltyRelated Words deficit, deprivation, expense, loss; damage, harm, hurt, injury; prejudiceNear Antonyms gainAntonyms advantage, favor