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While vs. Despite — What's the Difference?

While vs. Despite — What's the Difference?

Difference Between While and Despite

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While

While is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker's regional dialect.

Despite

Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
He was held in contempt
The despite in which outsiders were held is legendary

While

A period of time
Stay for a while.
Sang all the while. See Usage Note at awhile.

Despite

Without being affected by; in spite of
He remains a great leader despite age and infirmity

While

The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something
The project wasn't worth my while.
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Despite

Contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage
The despite done by him to the holy relics

While

As long as; during the time that
It was lovely while it lasted.

Despite

Contempt; disdain
The theatre only earns my despite

While

In spite of the fact that; although
While that guitar may look nice, it's not a very good instrument.

Despite

In spite of; notwithstanding
Won the game despite overwhelming odds.

While

And on the contrary
The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.

Despite

Contemptuous defiance or disregard.

While

To spend (time) idly or pleasantly
While the hours away.

Despite

Spite; malice
"He died soon after ... of pure despite and vexation" (Sir Walter Scott).

While

An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.
He lectured for quite a long while.
It’s a long while since anyone lived there, so it’s a ruin now.

Despite

In spite of, notwithstanding.

While

(US) an uncertain long period of time

Despite

(obsolete) Disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred.

While

(Philippines) an uncertain short moment

Despite

(archaic) Action or behaviour displaying such feelings; an outrage, insult.

While

During the same time that.
He was sleeping while I was singing.
Driving while intoxicated is against the law.

Despite

Evil feeling; malice, spite, annoyance.

While

Although.
This case, while interesting, is a bit frustrating.
While I would love to help, I am very busy at the moment.

Despite

(obsolete) To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.

While

Until.
I'll wait while you've finished painting.

Despite

Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate.
With all thy despite against the land of Israel.

While

As long as.
While you're at school you may live at home.

Despite

An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous defiance; a deed of contempt.
A despite done against the Most High.

While

Until.

Despite

To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.

While

To pass (time) idly.
I whiled away the hours whilst waiting for him to arrive

Despite

In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.

While

(transitive) To occupy or entertain (someone) in order to let time pass.

Despite

Contemptuous disregard;
She wanted neither favor nor despite

While

To elapse, to pass.

While

Alternative spelling or misspelling of wile.

While

Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, one while we thought him innocent.
This mighty queen may no while endure.
[Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while,And tells the jest without the smile.
I will go forth and breathe the air a while.

While

That which requires time; labor; pains.
Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while.
And so on us at whiles it falls, to claimPowers that we dread.

While

To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; - usually followed by away.
The lovely lady whiled the hours away.

While

To loiter.

While

During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, while I write, you sleep.
Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it.

While

Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.

While

Until; till.
I may be conveyed into your chamber;I'll lie under your bed while midnight.

While

A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather

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