Synonyms of despite

despite 1 of 2

preposition

di-ˈspīt 

as in notwithstanding

without being prevented by

we went to the party despite the bad weather outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• notwithstanding
• with
• in spite of
• regardless of
• in despite of
• in defiance of

despite

2 of 2

noun

1

as in contempt

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

pointedly ignored his false friend out of despite

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contempt
• disdain
• hatred
• disgust
• distaste
• spite
• hate
• scorn
• malice
• hostility
• despitefulness
• despisement
• hatefulness
• misprision
• jealousy
• resentment
• contemptuousness
• meanness
• grudge
• revulsion
• malignancy
• abhorrence
• loathing
• antagonism
• bitterness
• repugnance
• animosity
• malevolence
• enmity
• detestation
• repulsion
• condemnation
• malignity
• ridicule
• aversion
• depreciation
• abomination
• maliciousness
• disparagement
• antipathy
• spitefulness
• virulence
• jaundice
• odium
• bile
• gall
• rancor
• vindictiveness
• detraction
• pique
• horror
• abuse
• invidiousness
• spleen
• censure
• execration
• denunciation
• diminishment
• venom
• lovelessness
• derision
• aspersion
• vitriol
• mockery
• deprecation
• vituperation
• belittlement
• cattiness
• invective

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• regard
• admiration
• favor
• estimation
• esteem
• acceptance
• tolerance
• deference
• reverence
• worship
• love
• adoration
• veneration
• adulation
• liking
• glorification
• idolatry
• affection
• fondness
• fancy
• deification
• idolization
• lionization

2

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm

sheer despite was the sole reason for her hurtful comments

Synonyms & Similar Words

• malice
• spite
• venom
• hatred
• cruelty
• meanness
• hostility
• hatefulness
• contempt
• malignancy
• malevolence
• spitefulness
• disgust
• malignity
• jealousy
• bitterness
• spleen
• maliciousness
• viciousness
• hate
• nastiness
• disdain
• malignance
• cattiness
• resentment
• antagonism
• animosity
• enmity
• distaste
• jaundice
• abhorrence
• loathing
• ill will
• grudge
• antipathy
• horror
• rancor
• abusiveness
• revulsion
• abomination
• repugnance
• repulsion
• vindictiveness
• aversion
• scorn
• execration
• invidiousness
• despicableness
• virulence
• bile
• mean-spiritedness
• vengefulness
• pique
• vitriol
• bitchiness
• bitchery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• devotion
• passion
• friendliness
• hospitality
• cordiality
• amiability
• civility
• amity
• worship
• understanding
• adoration
• veneration
• infatuation
• affection
• ardor
• kindness
• sympathy
• friendship
• charity
• kindliness
• amicability
• goodwill
• empathy
• comity

3

as in disadvantage

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disadvantage
• expense
• detriment
• loss
• penalty
• injury
• deficit
• disfavor
• deprivation
• damage
• harm
• prejudice
• hurt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advantage
• favor
• gain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of despite

Preposition

The ad questions why the restrictions are still in place despite the state having many fewer cases of the virus than projections from the Department of Health Services estimated. — Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 May 2020

Amid a variety of cases of inflated prices across the United States, those focused on the humble egg are among the most sweeping, despite what at first glance appears to be a relatively modest sum. — New York Times, 6 May 2020

Noun

Political observers think Talarico could surge to the fore in the primary despite, or perhaps because of, his outsider status. — Julia Mueller, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025

Despite the fact that the age of female winners has been steadily increasing in the last despite, the average female Oscar winner is 39 years old, according to a Sky News 2023 report—almost a decade younger than the average male winner at 47. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2023

Phrases Containing despite

• in despite of