This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
despite
[ dih-spahyt ]
/ dɪˈspaɪt /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
preposition
in spite of; notwithstanding.
noun
contemptuous treatment; insult.
malice, hatred, or spite.
verb (used with object), de·spit·ed, de·spit·ing.
Obsolete. to anger or annoy (someone) out of spite.
VIDEO FOR DESPITE
What's The Difference Between "Spite" And "Despite"?
If you cut off your nose despite your face, that’s like lopping off your schnoz without any regard to your face. But if you cut off your nose to spite your face, you’re doing because you’re so mad at it. So which is it?
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Idioms about despite
in despite of, in spite of; notwithstanding: He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.
Origin of despite
1250–1300; originally in despite of;Middle English despit from Old French from Latin dēspectus “view from a height, scorn,” equivalent to dēspec-, variant stem of dēspicere (see despicable) + -tus suffix of verbal action
synonym study for despite
1. See notwithstanding.
Words nearby despite
desperate, desperately, desperation, despicable, despise, despite, despiteful, despiteous, Des Plaines, despoil, despoliation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use despite in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for despite
despite
/ (dɪˈspaɪt) /
preposition
in spite of; undeterred by
noun
archaic contempt; insult
in despite of (preposition) rare in spite of
verb
(tr) an archaic word for spite
Word Origin for despite
C13: from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectus contempt; see despise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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