Phrase guide

in spite of oneself

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

Against one's own plan or desire, or against one's better judgment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • I laughed in spite of myself as the crying child told me how he had accidentally sat on a cactus.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: despite oneself

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Despite one's flaws or foibles.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.