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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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 many Republican denials notwithstanding, something unusual is surely happening in Florida.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The many Republican denials notwithstanding, something unusual is surely happening in Florida.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mclusky were always rooted more in bile than hormones, contempt and wit over quick-burn idealism.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This need to demonstrate moral superiority vis-à-vis their neighbors necessarily makes much of leftism performative in nature, dedicated to signaling both contempt for deplorables and membership in an enlightened tribe.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jurors later recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages after deciding the companies acted with malice, oppression or fraud in harming children with their platforms.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Jurors later recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages after deciding the companies acted with malice, oppression or fraud in harming children with their platforms.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If society is looking to keep the underserved at a disadvantage relative to their peers, forcing them to attend failing schools is a good way to go about it.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Charlie makes an excellent point about what the disadvantage might be.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Slovenian star shook his head in disdain after whiffing on a 3-point attempt from the top of the key, the ball falling well short of the rim.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
There is unbelievable disdain and resentment and anger toward this woman.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than this, or in spite of this, Tim was clever and silly.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This week's exercise is a great way to improve core strength while choosing to become active, either in spite of or in alignment with one's social network.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Documents reviewed by the Miami Herald show that only a portion of the funds handled through TourProdEnter can be clearly tied to legitimate AFA expenses.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
An online fundraiser has also been launched by Brown's family and friends to help cover rebuilding expenses.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran hasn't been hiding its hatred of America.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Also shattered was the community’s shaky sense of security, already strained by wars in the Middle East and what many say is soaring hatred of Jews.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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