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despite

de·spite
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [dih-spahyt]
    • /dɪˈspaɪt/
    • /dɪˈspaɪt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [dih-spahyt]
    • /dɪˈspaɪt/

Definitions of despite word

  • preposition despite You use despite to introduce a fact which makes the other part of the sentence surprising. 3
  • preposition despite If you do something despite yourself you do it although you did not really intend or expect to. 3
  • preposition despite in spite of; undeterred by 3
  • noun despite contempt; insult 3
  • noun despite a contemptuous act; insult; injury 3
  • noun despite malice; spite 3

Information block about the term

Origin of despite

First appearance:

before 1250
One of the 11% oldest English words
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

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Despite

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

despite popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

despite usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for despite

prep despite

  • against — If one thing is leaning or pressing against another, it is touching it.
  • although — You use although to introduce a subordinate clause which contains a statement which contrasts with the statement in the main clause.
  • notwithstanding — in spite of; without being opposed or prevented by: Notwithstanding a brilliant defense, he was found guilty. She went to the game anyway, doctor's orders notwithstanding.
  • in defiance of — a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
  • in the face of — the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.

adverb despite

  • at any cost — If you say that something must be done at any cost, you are emphasizing that it must be done, even if this requires a lot of effort or money.
  • per contra — on the other hand; on the contrary.
  • for all that — the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration): all the cake; all the way; all year.
  • withal — with it all; as well; besides.
  • howbeit — Archaic. nevertheless.

conjunction despite

  • though — for all that; however.
  • much as — great in quantity, measure, or degree: too much cake.

noun despite

  • recalcitrance — resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.
  • slap in the face — smack on the cheek
  • ill will — hostile feeling; malevolence; enmity: to harbor ill will against someone.
  • unfriendly — not amicable; not friendly or kindly in disposition; unsympathetic; aloof: an unfriendly coldness of manner.
  • malice — desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness: the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy.

Top questions with despite

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See also

Matching words

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