despite
despite — preposition
1. used before a noun or a verb in the -ing form to say that something happens even
used before a noun or a verb in the -ing form to say that something happens even though something else exists that should make it unlikely or impossible.
Despite the heavy rain, Jude still went for his morning run along the river.
despite + noun phrase introducing a contrast
Jiwoo got the job despite having no previous experience in marketing.
despite + gerund (having)
The family picnic went ahead despite the weather forecast warning of storms.
Despite being only twelve years old, Ife already speaks three languages fluently.
Owen finished the marathon despite the fact that he twisted his ankle at the halfway point.
- in spite of
equivalent in meaning; slightly less formal and more common in spoken English
- notwithstanding
more formal, often used in legal or academic contexts
- regardless of
emphasises that the obstacle is deliberately ignored
- because of
introduces a reason rather than a contrast
文法句型
despite + noun phrase
despite + verb-ing
despite + the fact that clause
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a noun, a gerund (-ing form), or 'the fact that' + clause. This is the most common structure in everyday English.
常見錯誤
2. used after a verb to show that a person acts without meaning to, or contrary to
used after a verb to show that a person acts without meaning to, or contrary to his or her own wishes.
Arjun found himself laughing despite himself at the comedian's silly joke.
laughing despite himself — involuntary reaction
Jenna agreed to help despite herself, even though she knew it would mean working past midnight.
Sari smiled despite herself when the puppy jumped onto her lap and licked her hand.
The old man spoke despite himself, revealing secrets he had kept for fifty years.
- involuntarily
adverb form; more direct but less common in this pattern
- against one's will
similar meaning but stronger sense of force
- deliberately
doing something on purpose, with full intention
文法句型
verb + despite + oneself/himself/herself/themselves
用法筆記
Only used in the pattern 'despite + reflexive pronoun' (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). The verb before it usually describes an emotion or action that happens automatically.
常見錯誤
despite — noun
1. a strong feeling that a person or thing is worthless or does not deserve any res
a strong feeling that a person or thing is worthless or does not deserve any respect at all; contempt.
Gabriel wrote about the corrupt governor with despite, refusing to give him credit for any reform.
wrote about... with despite — expressing scholarly contempt
Nala stared at the unfair contract with despite, knowing it would cheat her parents out of everything.
stared... with despite — contempt shown through expression
Mizuki felt a cold despite for the director who had stolen money from the children's hospital fund.
The film is full of despite for the officials who let the old school burn down for insurance money.
- admiration
a feeling of deep respect and approval
用法筆記
An older, more literary word. In modern English, 'contempt' or 'disdain' is far more common for this meaning.
常見錯誤
2. a wish to cause trouble, pain, or harm to another person; malice.
a wish to cause trouble, pain, or harm to another person; malice.
Joaquín sold the family painting out of pure despite, knowing it would break his mother's heart the most.
out of pure despite — motive of malice
Heather wrote the restaurant review with such despite that the owner nearly lost her business.
wrote... with despite — malice shown in writing
Kwame could not understand the despite behind his neighbour's cruel remarks about his wife's cooking.
There was no reason for Anna's actions other than pure despite — she simply wanted to destroy her rival's career.
- spite
the modern equivalent; more common in everyday language
- malice
a desire to cause harm, often with forethought
- vengefulness
focus on getting revenge for a past wrong
- goodwill
a friendly and helpful attitude towards others
用法筆記
Archaic or literary; modern English uses 'spite' or 'malice' instead.
3. a specific action that openly refuses to respect a person, rule, or authority.
a specific action that openly refuses to respect a person, rule, or authority.
The protest itself was an act of despite, openly defying the unjust law that silenced free speech.
an act of despite — attested countable construction
By wearing the banned symbol on her shirt, Lara committed an act of despite.
Historians see the ship's departure as an act of despite against the crown's authority.
The poet published her final work in despite of the publisher's demands to change the ending.
- submission
acceptance of authority or control
用法筆記
Almost exclusively found in older literary or historical texts. The phrase 'in despite of' (meaning 'in defiance of') was common in Early Modern English.
4. harm, damage, or loss that affects someone or something in a negative way.
harm, damage, or loss that affects someone or something in a negative way.
The new tax law worked to the despite of small business owners, leaving many unable to pay their staff.
to the despite of — archaic formal phrase for detriment
Inês worried that the contract would be to the despite of her family rather than to their advantage.
The court ruling was to the despite of the farmers who had already lost their land.
Ritu argued that the new policy was to the despite of the entire community, causing widespread harm.
- detriment
the modern counterpart; very common in formal writing
- disadvantage
the everyday word; also implies an unfavourable condition
- harm
more direct, focusing on actual damage
- advantage
a condition that helps someone succeed
用法筆記
Most commonly found in the fixed archaic phrase 'in despite of' (meaning 'to the disadvantage of'). Modern English uses 'detriment' or 'disadvantage' instead.
despite — verb
1. to regard someone or something with a complete lack of respect; to think that a
to regard someone or something with a complete lack of respect; to think that a person or thing is worthless or beneath notice.
The cruel landlord despited his tenants and never repaired anything in the building.
despited + object (archaic transitive past tense)
Eshe despited the gossip and refused to let it affect her work at the hospital.
In the old story, the prince despited the beggar and ordered him removed from the gate.
The general despited the warning signs and marched his troops into the valley.
- admire
to regard with respect and approval
文法句型
despite + object
用法筆記
Extremely rare in modern English; found mainly in older literary texts. Use 'despise' instead for contemporary writing.
常見錯誤
2. to make someone feel angry, upset, or annoyed, especially deliberately.
to make someone feel angry, upset, or annoyed, especially deliberately.
The boy despited his older sister by hiding her schoolbag before the exam.
despited + object (vex/annoy sense, past tense)
Christopher despited the teacher with endless questions that had no real point.
Nothing despited Darius more than being ignored when he was trying to speak.
The constant noise from the construction site despited the librarian all afternoon.
- calm
to make someone stop feeling angry or upset
文法句型
despite + object
用法筆記
This sense of 'despite' as a verb meaning 'to annoy' is now archaic. Modern English would use 'annoy', 'irritate', or 'provoke' instead.