despite

despite is on the Academic Word List.

Preposition

Preposition
despite

If $x$ happens despite $y$ , it is surprising that $x$ happens because $y$ usually stops it.
Despite their best efforts, the ministers have not been able to come to an agreement.

Despite all the problems, I think this project is a success.

We hope that there will soon be changes despite the fact that the leaders are still the same old people.
If you do something despite yourself, you didn't plan or want to do it.
She hated him, but when he spoke she laughed despite herself.