"Despite" serves as a versatile preposition expressing contrast and defiance. Historically linked to disdain, its current use emphasizes resilience and overcoming obstacles.
Word 'despite' in Other Languages
- despite in Assamese অসমীয়া
- despite in Bengali বাংলা
- despite in Bodo बड़ो
- despite in Dogri डोगरी
- despite in English
- despite in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- despite in Hindi हिन्दी
- despite in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- despite in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- despite in Konkani कोंकणी
- despite in Maithili মৈথিলী
- despite in Malayalam മലയാളം
- despite in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- despite in Marathi मराठी
- despite in Nepali नेपाली
- despite in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- despite in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- despite in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- despite in Santali
- despite in Sindhi سنڌي
- despite in Tamil தமிழ்
- despite in Telugu తెలుగు
- despite in Urdu اُردُو
despite
Part of Speech
Preposition, Noun
Pronunciation
English: /dɪˈspaɪt/
Definitions
- (Preposition) Without being affected by; in spite of.
- (Noun) Contempt or disdain.
- (Noun) An act of defiance or scorn.
Usage Examples
- Despite the rain, they continued the match.
- He succeeded despite all odds.
- They held him in despite.
Etymology
From Old French despit, from Latin despectus meaning "scorn, contempt," from despicere meaning "to look down on."
Synonyms
- Notwithstanding
- Although
- In defiance of
- Regardless of
- Contempt
Antonyms
- Because of
- Due to
- Respect
- Regard
- Esteem
Translations
| Language | Translations | Pronunciations |
|---|---|---|
| French | malgré | /mal.ɡʁe/ |
| Spanish | a pesar de | /a peˈsaɾ de/ |
| German | trotz | /tʁɔts/ |
| Hindi | के बावजूद | /keː bɑːʊʤʊd/ |
| Tamil | எதிர்பாராமல் | /eðɪr.pɑː.raː.mal/ |
| Russian | несмотря на | /nʲɪs.mɐˈtrʲa na/ |
| Arabic | رغم | /raɣm/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 尽管 | /jǐn guǎn/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /dɪˈspaɪt/
- American English: /dɪˈspaɪt/
Historical Usage
The word "despite" was commonly used in Middle English to convey feelings of scorn or contempt before evolving to its current meaning as a preposition.
Cultural Nuances
Often used in legal, literary, and rhetorical contexts to express contrast or opposition.