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
-
Adorable de-makes of tracks notwithstanding, 4PGP is straightforward arcade racing fare.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The civil case notwithstanding, the Justice Department lodged new criminal charges against Cherfilus-McCormick and Edwin Cherfilus, who is named as a defendant in the main theft conspiracy count and related money-laundering counts.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For his courtroom outbursts, Davis found Thompson in contempt of court and added a little more than four and a half years to his sentence.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Never has Congress compelled the testimony of a former president under threat of contempt charges.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Colt Gray, now 16, has been indicted on 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, and will be tried as an adult, according to court documents.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Nevermind that this is obviously the work of someone acting deliberately, stealthily and with obvious malice – not a drunk stumbling into their homes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Stewart nullified the size disadvantage with his speed and relentless style.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
And yet, such disadvantages might have been overcome, especially in urban settings, had there been the vision and will among America’s industrialists.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Over time, some officers showed a boastful disdain for parts of the population they were expected to protect.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
With a firehouse of insults flowing from Washington, the value of dignity rises with people of goodwill, while attracting the disdain of a diminishing mob.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Injuries cannot be an excuse when a number of teams continue to win in spite of injuries.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Resilience, faith in spite of hate Around midday on a Friday in December, the EPIC Masjid was abuzz.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the utility will be allowed to spread the expense recovery over an entire hunk of the Midwest.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Alphabet also said its research and development expenses went up by 42%, driven by compensation for AI talent and supporting Waymo.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Emily Brontë’s novel is a book that stains — its emotions seep through generations, its hatreds metastasize, its love transforms into something unholy and permanent.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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