anti

¹

[ an-tahy, an-tee ]

noun

, plural an·tis.

1. a person who is opposed to a particular practice, party, policy, action, etc.

anti-

²

1. a prefix meaning “against,” “opposite of,” “antiparticle of,” used in the formation of compound words ( anticline ); used freely in combination with elements of any origin ( antibody; antifreeze; antiknock; antilepton ).

anti

¹

/ ˈæntɪ /

adjective

1. opposed to a party, policy, attitude, etc

   he won't join because he is rather anti

noun

1. an opponent of a party, policy, etc

anti-

²

prefix

1. against; opposing

   antisocial

   anticlerical

2. opposite to

   antimere

   anticlimax

3. rival; false

   antipope

4. counteracting, inhibiting, or neutralizing

   antifreeze

   antihistamine

5. designating the antiparticle of the particle specified

   antineutron

anti–

1. A prefix whose basic meaning is “against.” It is used to form adjectives that mean “counteracting” (such as antiseptic, preventing infection). It is also used to form nouns referring to substances that counteract other substances (such as antihistamine, a substance counteracting histamine), and nouns meaning “something that displays opposite, reverse, or inverse characteristics of something else” (such as anticyclone, a storm that circulates in the opposite direction from a cyclone). Before a vowel it becomes ant–, as in antacid.

Sensitive Note

See homophobia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anti¹

First recorded in 1780–90; by shortening of words prefixed with anti-

Origin of anti²

From Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, prefixal use of antí; akin to Sanskrit ánti “opposite,” Latin ante, Middle Dutch ende (giving rise to Dutch en “and”), English an- in answer. See ante-, and

Word History and Origins

Origin of anti¹

from Greek anti

Example Sentences

Giffords joined filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen on the stage to discuss the need for anti gun violence prevention, including Congressional action.

From TIme

My go-to anti-fatigue floor mat, the Anti Fatigue Kitchen Floor Mat by Eroghead, feels nice and spongy under my feet, so it serves as motivation for standing while I work.

From Popular-Science

But, as Patsky points out, Google is being investigated for anti competitive practices.

From Time

Jealousy and suspicion line up the antis and knockers against any man or measure bigger than their two-by-four standards.

From Voice of San Diego

Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.

From The Daily Beast

A few years back, designer John Galliano was fined by the government for sharing just such anti-semitic sentiments in public.

From The Daily Beast

The “doctorate” Duke claims is from an anti-Semitic Ukranian “diploma mill” as described by the State Department.

From The Daily Beast

Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.

From The Daily Beast

The anti-crime cops began searching the likely path of flight.

From The Daily Beast

To give him a party name, he became an anti-clerical, strictly in a political and lawful sense.

From Project Gutenberg

Martini appeared from his little anti-room, with a lamp in his hand, as the prison clock struck ten.

From Project Gutenberg

The unoccupied pallet of Martini lay in one corner of this miserable anti-room.

From Project Gutenberg

He sincerely hates all anti-tobaccoites and has a supreme disgust for the memory of King James I. and all royal foes of the plant.

From Project Gutenberg

Let no opportunity be missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish agitators of the Anti-corn-law league.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adverse
• belligerent
• bitter
• contentious
• contrary
• hateful
• inhospitable
• inimical
• nasty
• opposed
• unfavorable
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic