preposition · formal

despite

/dɪˈspaɪt/de·SPITE

speakingtask2

used to say that something happens although something else might have stopped it

Examples

Despite the bad weather, the concert went ahead.

Despite heavy traffic, we arrived on time.

Despite the team's best efforts, they didn't qualify.

Band 8 sentence

Despite widespread criticism, the policy was implemented after a careful cost–benefit analysis.

Collocations

  • despite + noun / V-ing
  • despite the fact that + clause

Common mistakes

despite of the raindespite the rain

despite that we were late, ...despite the fact that we were late, ...

Say it for a higher band

5but6however7+despite

Synonyms

in spite of

Easily confused

in spite of

In spite of the heavy rain, they continued the match.

Related words

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In Contrast

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