despite
dɪˈspaɪt
The word that crosses out what stands in the way
The picture Something clearly blocks the way, and the arrow draws a line through it and carries on. DESPITE goes on even with the blocker there, BECAUSE OF goes on thanks to it.
Where the picture shows up in despite
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weather crossed out
Despite the rain, the game continued.
dɪˈspaɪt ðə reɪn ðə ɡeɪm kənˈtɪnjuːd
The match went on even though it rained.
rain hammers the pitch while the players keep running and kicking the ball
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pain crossed out
She smiled despite the pain.
ʃiː smaɪld dɪˈspaɪt ðə peɪn
She smiled even though it hurt.
cold sweat runs down the forehead while the corners of the mouth stay lifted
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age crossed out
Despite his age, he still works every day.
dɪˈspaɪt hɪz eɪdʒ hiː stɪl wɜːrks ˈevri deɪ
He still works daily even at his age.
the number on the ID card gets a line through it and the feet open the shop again
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the storm crossed out
The flight left on time despite the storm.
ðə flaɪt left ɑːn taɪm dɪˈspaɪt ðə stɔːrm
The plane still left on time in the storm.
the sky outside the window is black while the departure board keeps its original time
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effort crossed out
Despite our best efforts, we lost the contract.
dɪˈspaɪt ˈaʊər best ˈefərts wiː lɔːst ðə ˈkɑːntrækt
We tried our hardest and still lost the deal.
a rejected stamp comes down on a pile of sweat-stained papers all the same
All of it in one picture
despite is an arrow that crosses out the obstacle and keeps going. Cross out the rain and the match continues; cross out the pain and the smile stays; cross out the age and the daily shift goes on. Cross out the storm and the plane leaves on time, and when your own effort is the thing crossed out, you get the loss that came anyway.