despite 1 of 2

preposition

di-ˈspīt How to pronounce despite (audio)
Definition of despitenext
as in notwithstanding
without being prevented by we went to the party despite the bad weather outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

despite

2 of 2

noun

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of despite
Preposition
The ad questions why the restrictions are still in place despite the state having many fewer cases of the virus than projections from the Department of Health Services estimated. — Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 May 2020 Amid a variety of cases of inflated prices across the United States, those focused on the humble egg are among the most sweeping, despite what at first glance appears to be a relatively modest sum. — New York Times, 6 May 2020
Noun
Political observers think Talarico could surge to the fore in the primary despite, or perhaps because of, his outsider status. — Julia Mueller, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for despite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despite
  1. notwithstanding
  2. contempt
  3. malice
  4. disadvantage
  5. disdain
  6. spite
  7. expense
  8. hatred
Preposition
  • The technology used to establish factual decisions proved effective, notwithstanding the complaints from Croatia and Norway about whether the ball had indeed brushed a strand of hair against Portugal or hit an overhead cable against England.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The honor had never before been granted to a Black dealer, notwithstanding one who might have been passing as white.
    — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of notwithstanding
Noun
  • After Navarro failed to comply with the subpoena, he was indicted and later convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress, one for failing to produce documents and a second for failing to testify.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 21 July 2026
  • In June 2022, Cuban authorities sentenced Otero Alcántara to five years in prison on charges including public disorder, contempt and insulting national symbols.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of contempt
Noun
  • But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
  • The company’s own investigation points less to malice than to a process that never engaged.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of malice
Noun
  • Moreover, the cost disadvantage is for air and hybrid cooling is greatly reduced for these smaller reactors.
    — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • This, even while operating at an annual revenue disadvantage.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • The disdain goes back decades and, as some Argentina fans evidently proved Tuesday, rowdiness does not require international provocation.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • In this year’s most competitive Senate races, some candidates are winning over voters with strong platforms or personal appeal, while others are benefiting from voters’ disdain for the opposing party.
    — Caroline Soler, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of disdain
Noun
  • In spite of their original values of humanitarianism and neutrality, these organizations have been morally debased from within, using the language of human rights and international justice yet deploying it on behalf of autocracies and against the liberal democracies that created them.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • The ball got away from Witt at short in spite of his best efforts to keep it on the infield.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026
Definition of spite
Noun
  • Fury has already spent one post-fight interview working the microphone at Joshua's expense.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • If the litigation proves unsuccessful, the attorney not only receives nothing, but the attorney is also out on expenses incurred in the representation.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • Shifrin, too, had once only seen the mountain as a symbol of hatred.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • But although few, then, could possibly have foreseen the cataclysm of the twentieth-century wars, the hatred was already there in the anti-semitism of old France, in the divisions over Dreyfus.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of hatred

Phrases Containing despite

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despising
despite
despiteful
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Cite this Entry

“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of despite for Spanish Speakers

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