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
-
But give the man credit for putting up numbers that are borderline unfathomable, small sample size notwithstanding.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Representing a departure from the artist’s preferred medium of wood, the monument curves outward from a narrow base, its vertical form and vaguely human contours seeming to emanate light, notwithstanding the material’s heft.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the first act, a love potion instantly transforms contempt into adoration.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Contempt as well as praise But those efforts drew contempt as often as praise.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hypocrisy and malice are stunning.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Count 1, malice murder, guilty.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Spartans lacked height this season but got all five players on the court to rebound as a group, helping overcome any disadvantages.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The disadvantages, however, may outweigh the weed control.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Survivor alum's presence has divided fans, with many commenting their disdain over Hasselbeck's return to the Hot Topics table.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Eldridge expressed disdain for booting a routine grounder in the seventh, but rookie manager Tony Vitello came away impressed with the top prospect’s effort on defense.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What began as a professional collaboration between Boulos and the Syrian photojournalist Abd Alkader Habak gradually evolves into a love story that is not born in spite of the war, but within it.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Certainly, her roast is successful in spite of its literal jokes, not because of them.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Online and in congressional hearings, Tenev was accused of aiding hedge funds that had shorted GameStop, at amateur traders’ expense.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In Oregon, where psilocybin therapy was legalized in 2023, a third of new clinics have already closed owing to high operating expenses and treatment costs.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All of Iran’s proxies share a deep ideological hatred of Israel and America.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Loud and proud Jews will not allow hatred or fear to deter our Jewish way of life or our presence in the world.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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