Despite: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：in spite of (despite)

despite 🔊

/dɪˈspaɪt/

prep.

It introduces a fact that did not stop something else from happening.

in spite of 🔊

➕

/ɪn spaɪt ʌv/

prep.

Used to introduce a fact that makes another part of the sentence seem surprising or unexpected.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'despit', from Latin 'despectus' meaning 'a looking down on, contempt'.

💡 Mnemonic

DE-spite: Think 'DEfying SPITE' or opposition to proceed.

📖 Example

Despite feeling nervous, she gave an excellent presentation in class. 🔊 In spite of feeling nervous, she gave an excellent presentation in class.

🔗 Collocations

despite everything – used to say that something is true even considering all the problems or difficulties

despite the fact that – used before a clause to introduce a surprising contrast

despite all odds – in spite of great difficulty or probability against it

🔄 Synonyms

notwithstanding (prep.) – Formal synonym meaning in spite of.

regardless of (prep.) – Without regard or consideration for something.

🚫 Antonyms

because of (prep.) – On account of; as a result of.

due to (prep.) – Ascribed or caused by.

🌱 Derivatives

despiteful (adj.) – Full of malice; spiteful. (Archaic)

📖 Cultural Story

Evolved from a noun for contempt to its modern prepositional use around the 14th century, indicating an action occurring 'in contempt of' obstacles.