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
  • Both ratios peaked around June 1, and semis have lagged both benchmarks since, AI build-out notwithstanding.
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Pagan remains wrong, sophisticated argumentation notwithstanding.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of notwithstanding
Noun
  • The defense attorney who asked a Louisiana judge to ban pink from the courtroom in the Madison Brooks rape case was held in contempt Monday.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The boys’ callousness quickly turned to disgust, their contempt steadily aimed at Neil.
    — S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of contempt
Noun
  • The Court finds Defendant could not have responded to these instances of 'actual malice' in the First Amended Complaint, as they were not framed as such.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In October, a Newton County grand jury indicted 43-year-old Taiesha Wilson on charges of malice murder, murder, concealing the death of another, identity theft, and more.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of malice
Noun
  • Jensen has the vocal equivalent of a familiar face, which for another performer could become a disadvantage.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • To help make up ground from the disadvantage of a statewide race without an R next to his name, Achilles has hit the road.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • The video was quickly met with disdain from Acton, the Democratic Governors Association, and others.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
  • For Moscow, though, the deals, the incentives, and even the shared disdain for Kyiv are not seen as a cue to play ball and back down, but as a sign that its US strategy is yielding results.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of disdain
Noun
  • In spite—or because—of that emphasis on the purely physical, Capra thrived.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • How much of your inspiration and motivation actually comes from spite?
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of spite
Noun
  • Excluding notable items, expenses rose amid inflation and higher spending on technology.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The health benefits it is meant to finance aren’t one-time expenses, after all.
    — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hatred

Phrases Containing despite

Browse Nearby Words

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 27 Oct. 2026.

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