despite

[ dih-spahyt ]

preposition

1. in spite of; notwithstanding.

noun

1. contemptuous treatment; insult.
2. malice, hatred, or spite.

verb (used with object)

, de·spit·ed, de·spit·ing.

1. Obsolete. to anger or annoy (someone) out of spite.

despite

/ dɪˈspaɪt /

preposition

1. in spite of; undeterred by

noun

1. archaic.
   contempt; insult
2. in despite of rare.
   preposition in spite of

verb

1. tr an archaic word for spite

Word History and Origins

Origin of despite¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; originally in despite of; Middle English despit, from Old French, from Latin dēspectus “view from a height, scorn,” originally past participle of dēspicere; despicable ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of despite¹

C13: from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectus contempt; see despise

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in despite of, in spite of; notwithstanding:

   He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.

Synonym Study

See notwithstanding.

Example Sentences

Gaetz, he claimed, was an “accomplished attorney,” despite his thin legal resume, and “a reformer in his mind and heart.”

From Salon

Just weeks later — despite a new board policy forbidding him from advocating on immigration issues — Zuckerman railed against the club’s co-directors in an interview with the Los Angeles Times Magazine, saying they can’t “save species and wetlands and so on when there are a billion Americans.”

From Salon

Despite these risks, market experts suggest investors should focus on the economic environment and company fundamentals, as political factors tend to have a short-lived impact on the stock market and policy changes require time to be implemented.

From Salon

Despite these shocking revelations, mainly involving boys from elite British public schools, the Rushton report was not widely circulated.

From BBC

Since then, despite some strong showings, they remain winless with the visit of Croatia and a trip to Poland to go.

From BBC

Related Words

• in spite of
• regardless of