"Despite" is one meaning of "although," so they can be used interchangeably when their definitions are the same. For example, "Although I ate breakfast this morning, I felt hungry all day" and "Despite having breakfast this morning, I felt hungry all day" mean EXACTLY the same thing. Notice, though, that you can't just substitute one word for the other; "despite" takes a different syntax/sentence structure than "although." When "although" has the meaning of "but" or "however," then you cannot use it as a replacement for "despite." For example, "He invited me to the party, although (but/however) I don't think I'll be going." Or "I saw the man's face, although (but/however) I don't think I would recognize him."

i would say despite indicates a level of conscious defiance. you went out last night, despite me telling you not to. you could use although, but despite is stronger. he completed the race, despite having an injury.

"Despite" is basically a stronger way to say "although." "Despite," in the context you are using, means "in spite of" or "in spite of the fact"; the word "although" contrasts potential or assumed opposites, whereas "despite" contrasts known, irrefutable opposites. Although: A negative aspect, positive reality Even though: extreme form of although. Ex- Although he would rather not have died that night,.. the teenage girl killed him driving drunk. lthough he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam. Despite: A positive aspect, negative reality. Inspite of : similar to despite. Ex- Despite is not something really controlled. Despite having all the necessary qualifications, they didn’t offer me the job.