despite

American  

[dih-spahyt] / dɪˈspaɪt /

preposition

1. in spite of; notwithstanding.

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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.

idioms

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

   He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.

despite British  

/ dɪˈspaɪt /

preposition

1. in spite of; undeterred by

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noun

1. archaic contempt; insult

2. rare (preposition) in spite of

verb

1. (tr) an archaic word for spite

Related Words

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; despicable ( def. )

Example Sentences

Times investigation uncovered the grim conditions faced by farmworkers despite the UFW, which had dramatically declined in size, and how the union had turned to political fundraising that did not benefit those working the fields.

From Los Angeles Times

“Wall Street saw strong performance for much of last year, despite all of the ongoing domestic and international upheavals,” New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said.

From MarketWatch

“Perhaps this is why, despite WTI oil prices rising by about 60% from their low this year, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has only increased by 20 basis points since year-end,” he says.

From MarketWatch

That’s despite the fact that some can handle a fuel spike better than their customers.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is trading for 21 times this year’s expected earnings, which is even with the broad market, despite much faster growth.

From Barron's

Related Words

• in spite of
• regardless of