despite

[ dih-spahyt ]

/ dɪˈspaɪt /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR despite ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

RELATED WORDS

against, although, notwithstanding

Nearby words

Idioms

in despite of, in spite of; notwithstanding: He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.

Origin of despite

1250–1300; orig. in despite of; Middle English despit < Old French < Latin dēspectus view from a height, scorn, equivalent to dēspec-, variant stem of dēspicere (see despicable) + -tus suffix of v. action

SYNONYMS FOR despite

1. See notwithstanding.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR despite ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for despite

Despite the strong language, however, the neither the JPO nor Lockheed could dispute a single fact in either Daily Beast report.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The copilot on Flight 8501 was Remi Emmanuel Piesel, 46, who despite his age had just 2,275 hours of flying experience.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Despite his efforts to live in the present, he seemed haunted by the specter of his father.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Despite conventional wisdom, there are no rewards just for participating.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Despite its ranking at the bottom of most international development indexes, the conflict is shrouded by confusion.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Still, however, he maintains a supremacy over six or seven medalled rivals, in despite of the intrigues of the traders.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XIV|Edwin James
She could not understand, despite his explanations, why these fireworks of dexterity were worth while.
The Second Latchkey|Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson
"Well, leave everything as it is," I commanded, despite the rebellion in Nixon's eye.
The Mayor's Wife|Anna Katherine Green
Before that glance the young doctor moved, with a start of uneasiness, despite his self-possession.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
Despite his hunger, Grif pretended to consider for a few moments.
Grif|B. L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for despite

despite

c.1300, originally a noun, from Old French despit (12c., Modern French dépit), from Latin despectus "a looking down on, scorn, contempt," from past participle of despicere (see despise).

The preposition (early 15c.) is short for in despite of (late 13c.), a loan-translation of Old French en despit de "in contempt of." Almost became despight during 16c. spelling reform.

despite

preposition

noun

verb (used with object), de·spit·ed, de·spit·ing.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of despite

Examples from the Web for despite

despite

preposition

noun

verb

Word Origin for despite

despite