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
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2023
Westbrook recently scored a triple-double despite shooting 7-for-27 from the floor.
—Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, 7 Dec. 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
Despite the fact that the age of female winners has been steadily increasing in the last despite, the average female Oscar winner is 39 years old, according to a Sky News 2023 report—almost a decade younger than the average male winner at 47.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2023
Westbrook recently scored a triple-double despite shooting 7-for-27 from the floor.
—Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, 7 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for despite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despite
Preposition
-
The consultant arrangement notwithstanding, Stern will be looking for opportunities beyond the TV business.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Same with Miami’s Rueben Bain, who might have been the best player in college football, Fernando Mendoza notwithstanding.—
Kevin Sherrington
Feb. 18,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The full House was on the verge of voting on the contempt resolution, which was expected to pass with bipartisan support, when the Clintons agreed to the committee's terms to appear.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In accordance with the film’s main theme of toxic white colonialism, Kennedy treats Philomac with contempt but shows a weird fealty to Casey.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Colt Gray, now 16, has been indicted on 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, according to court documents.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Nevermind that this is obviously the work of someone acting deliberately, stealthily and with obvious malice – not a drunk stumbling into their homes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her trial arguably set a high new bar for proof, and put those who lack it at a disadvantage.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The team also addressed a major disadvantage that HV devices often face with saltwater.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Giving this White House another two years of unchecked power could lead to even more undemocratic schemes from a president who has shown a disdain for our electoral process and no interest in accountability.—
Eric H. Holder Jr,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2026
-
These foldable travel slippers go back to the point about my grandma’s disdain for airplane bathrooms.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ultimately, apart from Natalie voting for Tara out of spite, the table unanimously votes to banish a furious Natalie.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In spite of their very different style profiles, the stars all rely on Sorel boots.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
American farmers say an oversupply of eggs is forcing them to sell at rock-bottom rates, while expenses like packaging and shipping continue to climb.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The parents or hosts bearing a disproportionate share of the expense is not surprising, and should not be a cause of embarrassment as long as proper gratitude is expressed.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What began as skepticism towards AI has curdled into a palpable AI hatred across the American workforce.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Given their hatred of Indigenous people, Casey and Frank set out to bring them back, a vengeance mission with echoes of The Searchers.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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