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
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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
Andrew Hirschfeld, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2019
And then - despite barely stepping over the halfway line - the hosts hit the crossbar and had a shout for a penalty.
—SI.com, 25 Aug. 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
Harris’ campaign fundraising output has stayed consistent in first quarter around $12 million and $11.8 million in second quarter despite, as first reported by Politico, shakeups among senior campaign staff.
—Andrew Hirschfeld, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2019
And then - despite barely stepping over the halfway line - the hosts hit the crossbar and had a shout for a penalty.
—SI.com, 25 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for despite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despite
Preposition
-
The first of this two-part article explores why legal transformation remains a mirage, notwithstanding rapid global and business change.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The rift between Trump and Boeing could a be a serious problem for Boeing under a presidential administration that is looking to make massive government spending cuts, lawsuits and Congress notwithstanding.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In 1957, he was indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts of contempt and, after years of legal wrangling, in 1961, convicted and sentenced to a year in prison.—
Thomas Doherty,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The lowest score is reserved for expressions of contempt and calls for violence against one’s opponents; the highest is awarded to those treating others with dignity.—
Kellen Browning,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s profoundly unqualified defense secretary, made the malice clear by calling explicitly for Brown’s ouster along with that of any other officer involved with DEI.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Woe’s Hollow is where Kier Eagan first tamed the four tempers of the human soul: woe, frolic, dread, and malice.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Magic’s ineptitude puts them at a severe disadvantage on most nights.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
On Reddit, a new mom ranted about how working conditions in corporate America put parents at a disadvantage.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There is a growing push on Madison Avenue to foil the increasing disdain the average TV viewer has for traditional commercials, by devising content that is as interesting or entertaining as the shows people like to watch and binge.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Some Republicans made direct analogies between the first president and the sixteenth—to the howling disdain of many detractors.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In his short time since arriving, Sands had helped his team remain tough to beat, in spite of a debilitating injury list, while also allowing the intricacy of the attacking football to improve.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
While not taking on any particular political structure, the pre-taped bit perfectly attacks the racial prejudice society was still beholden to (and some might say still is) in spite of the 20 years that had passed since the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Too often, that comes at the expense of what a club is: its history, its culture, its locality.—
Mark Critchley,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Lining up these alternatives to Russian gas has been costly, OMV says, even though the Austrian government, which owns 31 percent of OMV, contributed a portion of the expense.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Flanked by cardboard cutouts of the 37th U.S. President bowling, the brothers discuss much more than their hatred of the man, including dropping out of law school, pro sports, and credit cards.—
Will DiGravio,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Our region has enough violence, hatred and incitement without more being added from the outside.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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