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
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
-
California taxpayers may be justifiably focused on California’s burdensome income taxes and, notwithstanding Prop. 13, California is still a high property tax state.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Economic challenges notwithstanding, this is indicative of the desire of Americans to safely and responsibly keep and bear arms.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
One judge this week said there was probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for not taking active steps to follow an order to stop the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to the notorious CECOT Prison in El Salvador.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Trump scored one victory on Friday when an appeals court put on hold a threat by District Judge James Boasberg of contempt charges.—
Andrew Chung, Luc Cohen, Kristina Cooke,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This is not someone who is going to kill someone out of malice.—
Maureen Maher,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2025
-
These steps are particularly important when installing extensions or apps from Google, given the much higher incidence of malice being reported over the past decade from its offerings.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Everton is looking to break into this group but is at a disadvantage due to a period of financial and sporting uncertainty under its previous ownership, which led to points deductions during the 2022/23 season.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Pakistan has long been at a major disadvantage in its wars with India due to its vastly smaller land mass and population.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Despite his resolute disdain for the regime, at 14 years old he was required by law to join the Hitler Youth, a paramilitary organization.—
Gabriele Regalbuto,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Cena has done a masterful job articulating his (kayfabe) disdain for fans.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In spite of that, Alexander said, intentional misinformation has been circulating that Anthony’s family had bought a new home with the funds raised and was living in luxury.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Hadid, for example, is attractive not because of—but rather in spite of—her eyewear choice.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Financial experts advise having an emergency fund with three to six months' worth of expenses set aside for a rainy day.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
All told, money distributed from endowments covered more than 15%, on average, of college and university operating expenses in 2024.—
Todd L. Ely,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While highlighting the vicious cycle of ethnic hatred, Gavin strives for impartiality.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despite. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share