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
-
Radcliffe has my highest admiration, notwithstanding the superb and more traditional work in this category by Nathan Lane, whose Willy Loman is agonizing to watch, and John Lithgow, who, like Chenoweth, was also willing to take on the role of a deeply unsympathetic character.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
His reputation — sign-stealing scandal notwithstanding — is glowing.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
On one side is challenger Holly Cook, who has filed for bankruptcy twice, been held in contempt of court on nine counts, been pursued by multiple collections agencies and once was labeled a vexatious litigant, court records showed.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
-
Betty repeatedly left lewd messages on the newlywed couple’s answering machine, to the point that Dan threatened to file criminal contempt charges, The Times reported at the time.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
In June 2024, Bryant was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping and misdemeanor false report of a crime.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Actual malice is the legal standard by which courts determine if someone is liable for libel.—
Keely Bastow,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The United States’ withdrawal from the WHO, which took effect in January, has put American public health officials at a disadvantage, says David Larsen, PhD, professor and chair of the public health department at Syracuse University.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
-
Instead, perhaps plucky Oklahoma, with all of its financial disadvantages, scheduling struggles and three-star players, could shake up the world.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The unfortunate thing about that disdain is that Kennedy has the power to impose his bizarre notions on the entire country.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
In reality, though, the backlash reflects the disdain critics like Lathan have for Clark.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Being able to work with anyone, get things done in the face of adversity and accomplish the task at hand, in spite of naysayers, road blockers and opponents.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Guatemala remains on the Watch List in spite of efforts to address issues with IP enforcement.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
While the emotional weight of a mother defending her child is undeniable, supporters of Save Girls’ Sports argue compassion for one athlete should not come at the expense of opportunities for other young women.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
The state would manage all medical insurance — more efficiently and at less consumer expense, advocates insist.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The Soros’ announcement did not say how the foundations will define antisemitism — a point of contention on college campuses and in state legislatures where debates have raged over whether criticism of Israel amounts to hatred of Jewish people.—
James Pollard,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
The movie thus offers a complaint about the end results of Putinism, not about the ideas—the emotions, the enthusiasms, the resentments, the hatreds—that brought it about.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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