Despite: meaning, definitions and examples

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despite

[dɪˈspaɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Preposition}

in spite of

without being affected by; in spite of.

Synonyms

in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
despite	Used to indicate that something happened or is true, although something might have prevented it. Often found in formal and informal contexts. Despite the heavy rain, the match continued. She managed to finish her work despite feeling very tired.
in spite of	Used to express that something occurred even though something else might contradict it. It has a similar meaning to 'despite' but can sound slightly more formal. In spite of his nervousness, he gave a great presentation. They went hiking in spite of the weather forecast.
notwithstanding	Often used in formal writing to mean 'despite'. It can be placed before or after the subject. Notwithstanding the challenges, the project was a success. He went for a walk, notwithstanding the cold weather.
regardless of	Indicates that something happens or is true without being affected by other events or conditions. It has a neutral tone and is often used in more general or casual contexts. Regardless of the cost, we need to complete this task. She will succeed regardless of the obstacles.

Examples of usage

Despite the bad weather, they decided to go for a picnic.
She went for a run despite feeling tired.
I managed to finish the project despite numerous obstacles.
Despite his illness, he continued to work hard.
Despite the challenges, they succeeded in their mission.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

a feeling of contempt or disdain

contemptuous disregard; scorn.

Synonyms

contempt, disdain, scorn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
despite	Noting that 'despite' already appears, this entry is redundant.
contempt	This word is for showing a strong feeling of disapproval or that something is not worthy of respect, often used in negative contexts. He experienced contempt from his peers because of his reckless behavior. Her actions earned her the contempt of the entire community.
disdain	Use this to convey a sense of superiority and dislike towards something or someone. It's often more formal than 'scorn'. She looked at the messy room with disdain. The professor spoke with disdain about students who failed to study.
scorn	Suitable for informal contexts where there is contempt and a feeling that someone or something is worthless or despicable. He spoke with scorn about the government's policies. She treated his apology with utter scorn.

Examples of usage

He showed his despite towards her by ignoring her completely.
She did it with a look of despite on her face.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Latin word 'despectus', meaning 'look down on', showing a sense of disregard.
It entered the English language around the late 14th century, originally signifying 'spite' or 'hatred'.
Over time, its meaning shifted to express overcoming obstacles or conflict.

Literature

Many famous literary works use 'despite' to create tension, illustrating characters facing adversity.
In Shakespeare's plays, the word often appears, highlighting conflicts between characters and circumstances.
Contemporary poetry frequently utilizes it to explore themes of resilience against societal pressures.

Psychology

'Despite' can signify an individual's ability to push through fears or limitations, emphasizing resilience.
Psychologists note that understanding 'despite' can aid in motivational strategies toward achieving goals.
Cognitive behavioral therapy sometimes uses this concept to reframe negative thought patterns into positive affirmations.

Pop Culture

In music, several songs feature 'despite' in lyrics, illustrating overcoming hardship or inner struggles.
Movies often use 'despite' in narratives, where characters lose everything but still strive for success.
The phrase 'despite the odds' is a common trope in sports films, symbolizing the fight against improbable challenges.

Education

Teachers frequently use 'despite' to encourage students to push through challenges in learning.
In motivational speeches, the term serves to inspire individuals to persevere in the face of adversity.
It plays a significant role in discussions about growth mindset, stressing that effort can yield success despite obstacles.

Translations

Translations of the word "despite" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apesar de

🇮🇳 के बावजूद

🇩🇪 trotz

🇮🇩 meskipun

🇺🇦 незважаючи на

🇵🇱 pomimo

🇯🇵 にもかかわらず

🇫🇷 malgré

🇪🇸 a pesar de

🇹🇷 rağmen

🇰🇷 에도 불구하고

🇸🇦 بالرغم من

🇨🇿 navzdory

🇸🇰 napriek

🇨🇳 尽管

🇸🇮 kljub

🇮🇸 þrátt fyrir

🇰🇿 қарамастан

🇬🇪 მიუხედავად

🇦🇿 baxmayaraq

🇲🇽 a pesar de

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,037, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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