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View synonyms for despite

despite

[ dih-spahyt ]

preposition

  1. in spite of; notwithstanding.


noun

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

verb (used with object)

, de·spit·ed, de·spit·ing.
  1. Obsolete. to anger or annoy (someone) out of spite.

despite

/ dɪˈspaɪt /

preposition

  1. in spite of; undeterred by


noun

  1. archaic.
    contempt; insult
  2. in despite of rare.
    in despite of preposition in spite of

verb

  1. See spite
    tr an archaic word for spite

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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 dēspectus “view from a height, scorn,” originally past participle of dēspicere; despicable ( def )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of despite1

C13: from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectus 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

Despite the strong language, however, the neither the JPO nor Lockheed could dispute a single fact in either Daily Beast report.

NEW ORLEANS — John Boehner was reelected House Speaker yesterday by his Republican colleagues despite some dissenting members.

Its biggest asset, of course, is the steely Atwell, who never asks you to feel sorry for Carter despite all the sexism around her.

The rebels though seemed somewhat chastened by the result despite more than doubling the anti-Boehner votes from two years ago.

The copilot on Flight 8501 was Remi Emmanuel Piesel, 46, who despite his age had just 2,275 hours of flying experience.

The conclusion is reached that, despite these drawbacks, the Jesuit mission in Canada has made a hopeful beginning.

Some critics feel that, despite much that is desirable in her work, the soul is lacking in the women she paints.

Hunter-Weston despite his heavy losses will be advancing to-morrow which should divert pressure from you.

Long Jack was a prominent, but despite his joviality, it seems to me a pathetic figure.

Despite the arrogant manner of his address, Garnache felt prepossessed in the newcomer's favour.

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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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despisedespiteful