Antifa

Or an·ti·fa

[an-tee-fuh, an-ti-fuh, an-tee-fah]

noun

1. a political movement whose followers are left-wing activists who oppose fascist authoritarianism, capitalism, and extreme right-wing ideologies such as nationalism, xenophobia, and white supremacy (often used attributively).

   Antifa protesters marched on a far-right demonstration, with police intervening to stop the opposing sides from clashing.

2. a group of such activists, or a member of such a group.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Antifa¹

First recorded in 1945–50; from German Antifa, shortening of Antifaschismus “antifascism” and antifaschistisch “antifascist”; anti- ( def. ), fascism, fascist

Example Sentences

Militant activists who identify with Antifa have espoused an uncompromising philosophy of zero tolerance for fascists.

From Los Angeles Times

Antifa, he said, used “coordinated efforts to obstruct enforcement of Federal laws through armed standoffs with law enforcement, organized riots, violent assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement officers, and routine doxing of and other threats against political figures and activists.”

From Los Angeles Times

To Levin, the administration’s laser focus on antifa, a diffuse movement that does not rely on traditional hierarchies, risks threatening “the civil liberties, not of perpetrators of violence, but the far larger and more visible civil society network of peaceful supporters, messengers and funders.”

From Los Angeles Times

There is no evidence that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in Kirk’s murder, was affiliated with antifa or any other network.

From Los Angeles Times

“Antifa is a kind of politics of pan radical left militant opposition to the far right,” said Bray, an ally of the movement and author of “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook.”

From Los Angeles Times