Choosing a despite synonym is partly a grammar question: in spite of, notwithstanding and regardless of can drop straight into its place, but although and even though only work when a subject and verb follow. Get that right and the rest is tone.
Hunting for another word for despite? Each option below is matched to a sentence pattern, with a tone ladder and the errors that graders catch most. Despite sits with the contrast words on the transition words hub.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
in spite of, notwithstanding, althoughPart of speech
PrepositionMost formal
notwithstanding, irrespective ofMost casual
even with, even so, stillFollowed by
a noun, a pronoun or an ing formAntonyms
because of, due to, thanks toWatch out
Never write despite of. Write despite or in spite of.
Despite synonym options by sentence pattern
Look at what follows despite in your sentence. That decides which swaps will work.
| Pattern | Swaps | Example |
|---|---|---|
| despite + noun | in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, even with | Regardless of the cost, they hired a lawyer. |
| despite + ing | in spite of, even after | In spite of training hard, he lost the race. |
| clause with a verb | although, even though, though, while | Although the hall was cramped, the gig sold out. |
| new sentence | nevertheless, even so, still | The bridge was shaky. Even so, we crossed it. |
How the swaps differ in tone
Those chips at the top get stiffer as they go. Even with is natural in speech: even with the map, we got lost. In spite of is the exact twin of despite, just a word longer. Regardless of adds the idea that the thing made no difference to the choice, so it suits decisions. In the face of suggests bravery against pressure. Notwithstanding is legal and official; it can even come after its noun, as in these risks notwithstanding.
For all is lively but slightly literary: for all his money, he seemed lonely.
Rewrites that keep the meaning
- Despite the rain, the match went ahead becomes in spite of the rain, the match went ahead.
- Despite being tired, she finished the report becomes although she was tired, she finished the report.
- Despite the delay, we arrived on time becomes even with the delay, we arrived on time.
- Despite our warnings, he climbed the fence becomes he climbed the fence, undeterred by our warnings.
- The rules apply despite age becomes the rules apply regardless of age.
A manager emails: "Despite the outage, despite the holiday, the team hit the target." Breaking it up helps: "In spite of the outage and the holiday, the team hit the target." One linker now covers both obstacles.
Mistakes with despite and its swaps
Despite of is never correct. The of belongs only to in spite of. Despite it was late is also wrong, because despite cannot take a clause on its own. Fix it with despite the fact that it was late or simply although it was late.
Even if is not a synonym. It sets up a possible event, while despite points to a real one that already happened. Whereas compares two facts but does not say one failed to stop the other. See although synonyms and even though synonyms for the clause words.
A quick guide for essays and emails
In an essay, open a counterargument with although or while, then answer it. Save notwithstanding for legal or policy writing; in a student paper it can sound stiff. In work email, in spite of and even with are friendly. Between sentences, nevertheless or however carry the turn. If you mean the thing simply did not matter, regardless is your word.
The opposite idea: because of
Despite says an obstacle did not stop a result. The reverse says a factor caused it. Because of is neutral, due to sounds a little formal, thanks to usually signals a good result, and owing to suits official notices.
- Despite the storm, the flight left. Compare: because of the storm, the flight was late.
- Thanks to the volunteers, the park is clean.
Frequently asked questions
Is in spite of the same as despite?
Yes, they mean exactly the same and take the same grammar. In spite of is a little more common in speech, and despite is shorter for writing.
Can despite be followed by a clause?
Not directly. Add the fact that, as in despite the fact that it rained, or switch to although.
Is there a fancier alternative to despite?
Notwithstanding is the most formal choice and appears often in contracts. Irrespective of is also formal but means the thing made no difference.
Should I use although or despite in an essay?
Both are fine. Use although before a subject and verb, and despite before a noun phrase, such as despite the evidence.
What phrase means the opposite of despite?
Because of is the clearest antonym. Due to, owing to and thanks to also show cause rather than contrast.
Is nevertheless a synonym for despite?
It shares the meaning but not the grammar. Nevertheless starts a new sentence or clause, while despite sits before a noun.