despite

despite, in spite of, notwithstanding

这些前置词或前置短语都含有“虽然，尽管”之意。
despite: 书面用词，指不受某事或某种原因的阻碍，语气轻于in spite of。
in spite of: 在这些词中语气最强，可与despite换用，口语或书面语中均可使用。
notwithstanding: 语气最弱，仅表示一种障碍的存在。

名词 despite:

1. lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
   同义词：contempt, disdain, scorn
2. contemptuous disregard

1. Despite all our efforts we still lost the game.
   尽管我们尽了全力，我们还是输掉了比赛。
2. She managed despite everything to preserve her sense of humour.
   她不管遇到什麽情况都竭力保持著幽默感。
3. Say all you want about her (ie Despite any criticism you can make), she's still a fine singer.
   不管你怎麽说，她唱得还算不错。
4. Demand for these books is high, despite their high price.
   尽管这些书价钱昂贵，对他们的需求仍然很高。
5. He came to the meeting despite his illness.
   尽管生病，他还是来参加会议。

de.spite

prep.（介词）
In spite of; notwithstanding:
尽管：不管，不加忍受的：
例句：
won the game despite overwhelming odds.
尽管差异悬殊，还是赢得了比赛

n.（名词）
Contemptuous defiance or disregard.
轻蔑的拒绝或不承认
Spite; malice:
憎恨；怨恨：
例句：
.He died soon after . . . of pure despite and vexation.(Sir Walter Scott)
.他很快就死于单纯的怨恨和烦恼.(沃尔特·斯科特爵士)

来源：
Short for in despite of
in despite of的简写
from Middle English despit [spite]
源自 中古英语 despit [怨恨]
from Old French
源自 古法语
from Latin dôspectus [from past participle of] dôspicere [to despise] * see despise
源自 拉丁语 dôspectus [] 源自dôspicere的过去分词 [蔑视] *参见 despise