despite /diˈspait/ prep. 尽管：It remained liquid despite the loss of heat. 尽管不加热了，它仍然保持液体状态。He came to the meeting despite his serious illness.尽管病得不轻,他还来参加会议。［考句］Despite the advances of science, the discomforts of old age will no doubt always be with us. 尽管科学不断发展，老年的病痛无疑总是伴随着我们。


［辨析］despite 与 in spite of意思相同，但despite较文气一些。