Despite — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

preposition noun verb /di-ˈspīt/ de·spite

Meaning & Definition of Despite

Despite (preposition)

  1. in spite of

Despite (noun)

  1. the feeling or attitude of despising someone or something, contempt
  2. malice, spite
  3. an act showing contempt or defiance

Despite (verb)

  1. to treat with contempt
  2. to provoke to anger, vex

Despite (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. without being prevented by

    "we went to the party despite the bad weather outside"

    similar: notwithstanding, regardless of, with, in defiance of, in despite of, in spite of

Despite (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect

    "pointedly ignored his false friend out of despite"

    similar: contempt, contemptuousness, despisement, despitefulness, disdain, misprision, scorn
    related: abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, lovelessness, cattiness, hatefulness, invidiousness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, spite, spitefulness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, odium, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jealousy, pique, resentment, bile, jaundice, rancor, spleen, venom, vindictiveness, virulence, vitriol, aspersion, belittlement, deprecation, depreciation, detraction, diminishment, disparagement, derision, mockery, ridicule, abuse, invective, vituperation, censure, condemnation, denunciation
    opposite: admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect
    near: acceptance, tolerance, adoration, adulation, deference, deification, glorification, idolatry, idolization, lionization, reverence, veneration, worship, affection, fancy, fondness, liking, love

  2. the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm

    "sheer despite was the sole reason for her hurtful comments"

    similar: cattiness, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
    related: abusiveness, cruelty, abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor, resentment, despicableness, invidiousness, vengefulness, vindictiveness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, bitchery, bitchiness, contempt, disdain, jealousy, pique, scorn, bile, virulence, vitriol
    near: devotion, love, passion, amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality, adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship, affection, charity, kindliness, kindness, comity, empathy, friendship, goodwill, sympathy, understanding

  3. the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success

    "baffled as to why working-class voters would vote in despite of their own economic interests"

    similar: detriment, disadvantage, disfavor, penalty
    related: deficit, deprivation, expense, loss, damage, harm, hurt, injury, prejudice
    opposite: advantage, favor
    near: gain

Related Entry: In despite of (phrase)

In despite of is a different word from Despite. The synonyms below are for in despite of, not for despite.

  1. without being prevented by

    "In despite of what he was told, the tooth fairy turned out not to be real."

    similar: despite, notwithstanding, regardless of, with, in defiance of, in spite of

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Despite

The most common words with a similar meaning to Despite:

notwithstanding, regardless of, with, in defiance of, in despite of, in spite of, contempt, contemptuousness, despisement, despitefulness, disdain, misprision, scorn, cattiness, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness, detriment, disadvantage, disfavor, penalty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Despite

Words with the opposite meaning of Despite:

admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect, advantage

Related Words for Despite

abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, lovelessness, invidiousness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, odium, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jealousy, pique, resentment, bile, jaundice

Near Antonyms of Despite

acceptance, tolerance, adoration, adulation, deference, deification, glorification, idolatry, idolization, lionization, reverence, veneration, worship, affection, fancy, fondness, liking, love, devotion, passion, amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality, ardor, infatuation, charity

Word Forms of Despite

Inflections: despited, despiting

Origin & Etymology of Despite

Middle English, from Anglo-French despit, from Latin despectus, from despicere see despise

First known use: 1602

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Despite

Words & Phrases Containing Despite

despite appearances, despite oneself, in despite of

Frequently Asked Questions about Despite

What does "Despite" mean?

"Despite" means in spite of. As an a preposition, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: in spite of. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Despite"?

Other words for "Despite" include notwithstanding, regardless of, with, in defiance of, in despite of, in spite of, contempt and contemptuousness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Despite" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Despite"?

There are 99 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Despite". Common alternatives include notwithstanding, regardless of, with, in defiance of, in despite of, in spite of, contempt, contemptuousness, despisement and despitefulness.

What is the opposite of "Despite"?

Antonyms of "Despite" include admiration, esteem, estimation, favor, regard, respect and advantage. Near antonyms include acceptance, tolerance, adoration and adulation.

How do you use "Despite" in a sentence?

Examples of "Despite" in a sentence: "we went to the party despite the bad weather outside"; "pointedly ignored his false friend out of despite"; "sheer despite was the sole reason for her hurtful comments".

Is "Despite" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Despite" can be used as a preposition, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Despite" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Despite" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Despite"?

"Despite" is pronounced /di-ˈspīt/ and divided into syllables as de·spite.