despite, in spite of, notwithstanding
这些前置词或前置短语都含有虽然，尽管之意。
despite : 书面用词，指不受某事或某种原因的阻碍，语气轻于in spite of。
Despite the fact that she is short, she is an excellent basketball player.
in spite of : 在这些词中语气最强，可与despite换用，口语或书面语中均可使用。
I went out in spite of the rain.
notwithstanding : 语气最弱，仅表示一种障碍的存在。
He insisted on going to the football match, notwithstanding his doctors advice to the contrary.