You use despite to introduce a fact which makes the other part of the sentence surprising.
It is possible to lead happy and productive lives despite their loss.
Despite being warned to be on time they both arrived late.
Synonyms: in spite of, in the face of, regardless of, even with More Synonyms of despite
2. preposition
If you do something despiteyourself you do it although you did not really intend or expect to.
Despite myself, Harry's remarks had caused me to stop and reflect.
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
despite in British English
(dɪˈspaɪt)
preposition
1.
in spite of; undeterred by
noun
2. archaic
contempt; insult
3. in despite of
verb
4. (transitive) an archaic word for spite
Word origin
C13: from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectus contempt; see despise
despite in American English
(dɪˈspaɪt)
noun
1.
a contemptuous act; insult; injury
2.
malice; spite
3. Archaic
contempt; scorn
preposition
4.
in spite of; notwithstanding
verb transitiveWord forms: deˈspited or deˈspiting
5. Archaic
to scorn
Idioms:
in despite of
Word origin
ME & OFr despit < L despectus, a looking down upon, despising < despicere: see despise
Examples of 'despite' in a sentence
despite
This is despite the fact they perform better in these subjects than their male counterparts.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And this despite the fact that the two have adopted very similar procedures for dealing with complaints.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We received a full refund, despite the fact we were due to fly that afternoon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He's reached the last 16 despite the fact he had to buy all his own kit.
The Sun (2017)
He was so incensed he felt the need to put him in his place - despite the fact the row was in full view of other guests.
The Sun (2017)
This despite the fact that the roles were first written to be performed by men.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He turned over a large painting; despite the dim lighting, the treatment of the figures stirred his interest.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Despite his side 's efforts last night, it would be a shock if his tenure were to be extended.
The Sun (2016)
In other languages
despite
British English: despite /dɪˈspaɪt/ PREPOSITION
If you say that one thing is true despite another thing, it's a surprise to you that the first thing is true.
The party was fun, despite the rain.
American English: despite
Arabic: بِالرَّغْم
Brazilian Portuguese: apesar de
Chinese: 尽管
Croatian: unatoč
Czech: navzdory
Danish: på trods af
Dutch: ondanks
European Spanish: a pesar de
Finnish: jostakin huolimatta
French: malgré
German: trotz
Greek: παρά εναντιωματικό
Italian: nonostante
Japanese: ･･･にもかかわらず
Korean: ...에도 불구하고
Norwegian: på tross av
Polish: pomimo
European Portuguese: apesar de
Romanian: în pofida
Russian: несмотря на
Latin American Spanish: a pesar de
Swedish: trots även om
Thai: แม้ว่า
Turkish: karşın
Ukrainian: незважаючи на
Vietnamese: mặc dù
Chinese translation of 'despite'
despite
(dɪsˈpaɪt)
prep
尽(儘)管 (jǐnguǎn)
(preposition)
Definition
in spite of
Despite a thorough investigation, no sign of him has been found.