despite
Americanpreposition
noun
-
contemptuous treatment; insult.
-
malice, hatred, or spite.
verb (used with object)
idioms
preposition
noun
-
archaic contempt; insult
-
rare (preposition) in spite of
verb
Synonym Usage
See notwithstanding.
Etymology
Origin of despite
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; see despicable ( def. )
Explanation
Despite is used as a preposition when something happens even though it might have been prevented by something else. You might go see a movie despite hearing a negative review of it. Despite is just one letter away from despise, and they actually share a root: the Latin verb despicere, meaning "to look down on scornfully." Despite came to mean "contempt" or "scorn" in English, though that use as a noun has mostly dropped out of use. The phrase "in despite of" gradually got shortened to the preposition despite and lost its scornful quality. If you accomplish something despite the obstacles in your way, there's no need to feel spiteful about it.
Vocabulary lists containing despite
Word Generation Weekly - Series 1
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Novel Study: Lord of the Flies, Chapters 1–4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Asked how Salute is able to run a school in Florida despite her past and not registering, the state Education Department did not provide a direct answer.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
The survey also showed average expenditure - £67,411 per year - in real terms for 2023/24 was 6% lower than in 2018/19, despite being 19% higher nominally.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Chief executive Pascal Soriot said the company was "on track" to deliver its ambition of $80 billion in total revenue by 2030, despite an unexpected late-stage trial failure earlier this month.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Yet even with all of those amenities—and more—the property struggled on the market, despite the $10 million price cut.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
The beautiful natural world of the Philippines perseveres, despite everything.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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.
