What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Flout vs Despite - What's the difference?

flout | despite |

As verbs the difference between flout and despite

is that flout is to express contempt for the rules by word or action while despite is to vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.

As nouns the difference between flout and despite

is that flout is the act by which something is flouted while despite is disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred.

As a preposition despite is

in spite of, notwithstanding.

flout

English

Verb

  • To express contempt for the rules by word or action.
  • * 2012 , The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance
    • The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.
  • To scorn.
  • * Walton
    • Phillida flouts me.
  • * Byron
    • Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.

    Usage notes

    * Do not confuse with flaunt.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act by which something is flouted.
  • * 2012 , John Flowerdew, Discourse in English Language Education (page 97)
    • A flout is when someone deliberately and ostentatiously contravenes a maxim.

    despite

    English

    Alternative forms

    * despight (obsolete)

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred.
  • *Bible, Ezekiel xxv. 6
  • *:all thy despite against the land of Israel
  • *1599 , (Much Ado About Nothing), by (William Shakespeare),
  • *:DON PEDRO. Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
  • (archaic) Action or behaviour displaying such feelings; an outrage, insult.
  • *:
  • *:he asked kynge Arthur yf he wold gyue hym leue to ryde after Balen and to reuenge the despyte' that he had done / Doo your best said Arthur I am right wroth said Balen I wold he were quyte of the ' despyte that he hath done to me and to my Courte
  • *Milton
  • *:a despite done against the Most High
  • Evil feeling; malice, spite.

    • Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • In spite of, notwithstanding.
  • * 1592–1609 , William Shakespeare, Sonnet III :
    • So thou through windows of thine age shall see
    Despite of wrinkles this thy golden time.
  • * 1592–1609 , William Shakespeare, Sonnet XIX :
    • Yet, do thy worst, old Time: despite thy wrong,
    My love shall in my verse ever live young.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=7 citation , passage=The highway to the East Coast which ran through the borough of Ebbfield had always been a main road and even now, despite the vast garages, the pylons and the gaily painted factory glasshouses which had sprung up beside it, there still remained an occasional trace of past cultures.}}

    Derived terms

    * despiteful

    Verb

    (despit)
  • (obsolete) To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.
    • (Sir Walter Raleigh)

    Anagrams

    *