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Definition of antihero

antihero

/ˌæn.tiˈhɪə.roʊ/
an · ti · he · ro
Plural:antiheroes
•
Adjective:antiheroic
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antihero Lexical Profile

antihero Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A central character in a story, film, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes such as idealism, courage, or morality.

Example

"The novel's cynical protagonist is a classic antihero who reluctantly helps others while pursuing his own self-interest."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for antihero
Antonyms
View all antonyms for antihero

Word Nuance & Usage

An antihero should not be confused with a villain or antagonist; an antihero is still the central protagonist of a story, but lacks traditional heroic virtues such as idealism, courage, or strict morality.

• Rhymes for antihero

• Nearby Words

antigun
antiharassment
antihelix
antihero
antiheroine
antihistamine
antihomosexual

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 18th century, the word is formed from the Greek prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'opposite to' or 'against') combined with 'hero', which derives from the Ancient Greek 'hērōs' (meaning 'demigod' or 'defender').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Antihero. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/antihero
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