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
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
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 previous presidents have resisted the temptation to exploit them, and the law has served as a powerful norm notwithstanding its weaknesses.—
Elizabeth Goitein,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
-
For decades now, the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise has been associated with Microsoft's own DOS/Windows operating systems and, more recently, Xbox consoles (weird exceptions like this 1986 Macintosh port notwithstanding).—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The general contempt with which fans are held.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
And Sunuwar, who miraculously survived, became, in the eyes of the public, another casualty of the governing élite’s contempt for ordinary Nepalis.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
More than avoiding malice, we are called to take responsibility for the impact of our words.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Understand that controlling behaviors may stem from fear and insecurity rather than malice.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Are there any disadvantages to redshirting?—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Across the country, girls and women are once again being asked to overcome structural disadvantages that Title IX was designed to eliminate.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While on the show, Cuban had a reputation for being tough but fair, with a disdain for scammers and a soft spot for young entrepreneurs.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
-
His open disdain for capitalism is fundamentally at odds with the very DNA of New York — the beating heart of American capitalism.—
John Foley,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In spite of their differences, Mom and Dad were the perfect yin and yang of parents.—
Janine Rubenstein,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Civil society has been driving solutions forward—in spite of political gridlock.—
David Miliband,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Independent expenditures are political expenses made for or against an election issue or candidate, but with no coordination for the politician or campaign.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Despite having full-time employment, many struggle to save enough for housing due to stagnant wages and rising expenses.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And hatred rather than ideology is the animating force?—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
More violence, more anger, more hatred.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share