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View synonyms for

despite

[ dih-spahyt ]

preposition

  1. in spite of; notwithstanding.


noun

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

verb (used with object)

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

despite

/ ɪˈ貹ɪ /

preposition

  1. in spite of; undeterred by
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. archaic.
    contempt; insult
  2. in despite of rare.
    preposition in spite of
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr an archaic word for spite
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of despite1

First recorded in 1250–1300; originally in despite of; Middle English despit, from Old French, from Latin ŧ𳦳ٳܲ “view from a height, scorn,” originally past participle of ŧ辱; despicable ( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of despite1

C13: from Old French despit, from Latin ŧ𳦳ٳܲ contempt; see despise
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Idioms and Phrases

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

    He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Nigerian High Commission did not engage in depth with the case despite multiple requests from the High Court.

From

It said its stores remain open despite the issues affecting online ordering.

From

“Yet despite this judicial warning, and despite multiple members of the public attempting to alert the City Council during public comment, they proceeded in known defiance.”

From

"It's shocking that not a single water executive faced a fine, let alone a prison sentence, despite widespread law-breaking," he told the BBC's Today programme.

From

The service provided more than 125,000 free meals to people last year but saw its donations dry up despite increased demand, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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