English Phrase of the Day

in spite of

Definitions

English > English
in spite of
1. prep. Despite, irrespective of, notwithstanding.
Analysis
in
1. prep. Used to indicate location, inclusion, or position within spatial, temporal or other limits.
2. prep. Contained by.
The dog is in the kennel.
3. prep. Within.
4. prep. Surrounded by.
spite
1. n. Ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; a desire to vex or injure; petty malice
He was so filled with spite for his ex-wife, he could not hold down a job.
They did it just for spite.
2. n. (obsolete) Vexation; chagrin; mortification.
3. v. To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.
of
1. prep. Expressing distance or motion.
2. prep. (now obsolete, or dialectal) From (of distance, direction), "off".
3. prep. (obsolete except in phrases) Since, from (a given time, earlier state etc.).
4. prep. From, away from (a position, number, distance etc.).
There are no shops within twenty miles of the cottage.

Example Sentences

In spite of all this, I'm still here.

We've just got to keep on living in spite of that, in defiance of it, and try to find joy, because otherwise there's nothing.

Yet in spite of each new failure and humiliation, he persists with it.

Just as importantly, and in spite of occasional media excesses, what about press freedom?

Sexual problems are rife in Britain, according to new research published today, in spite of, or maybe because of a culture in which expectations of passionate relationships are higher than ever before.

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