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
-
His paragon, surprisingly, was Adorno, who, notwithstanding his mandarin prose, often explicated his ideas on radio and television.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
The United States is, recent political trends notwithstanding, a nation of immigrants.—
Beau Dure,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Pablo Andres Aguilera Mora, 46, is being held in the Santa Clara County Main Jail for criminal charges including murder, assault with a deadly weapon, dissuading a witness and contempt of court, according to court records.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
The motion concluded an untainted special counsel was necessary because the issues involved allegations of contempt and misconduct at high levels in the Justice Department.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The documentary explores the dark web of fraud, deception and malice that led Parker to feign a pregnancy to try to bolster her relationship with boyfriend Wade Griffin — and when her fake due date passed, kill Hancock for her baby, Braxlynn Sage.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
-
Baldoni and his attorneys failed to prove Lively had acted with malice.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Consider both carefully, then, as each comes with significant advantages and disadvantages in today's economy.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Circumstances have put them at every possible disadvantage.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
While the singer-songwriter has been vocal about her disdain for generative AI models, her latest argument against it comes after learning hundreds of her own songs have been used for training purposes.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2026
-
But many Cepeda voters are still grappling to understand the disdain towards Colombia’s left.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
In spite of D'Arcy's best efforts, Rhaenyra is an impenetrable character with illogical choices and zero magnetism to the viewers (or seemingly, her councilors).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
-
But Jake carried on in spite of the disappointment.—
John Dunlap,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
After former President Joe Biden issued a presidential disaster declaration for the fire, residents were able to apply for emergency federal financial assistance and benefits, which included money for home repairs, personal property damage, transportation, medical expenses and housing assistance.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
His sophisticated taste and hatred for carbs always brought a little humor to the job.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
-
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has called for calm, but several far-right personalities in Great Britain and the United States—including Elon Musk—have used the attack to foment hatred against immigrants.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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