anti-

¹ American  

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 ).

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anti ² American  

[an-tahy, an-tee] / ˈæn taɪ, ˈæn ti /

noun

PLURAL

antis

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

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anti ¹ British  

/ ˈæntɪ /

adjective

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

   he won't join because he is rather anti

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noun

1. an opponent of a party, policy, etc

anti- ² British  

prefix

1. against; opposing

   anticlerical

   antisocial

2. opposite to

   anticlimax

   antimere

3. rival; false

   antipope

4. counteracting, inhibiting, or neutralizing

   antifreeze

   antihistamine

5. designating the antiparticle of the particle specified

   antineutron

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anti– Scientific  

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.

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Sensitive Note

See homophobia.

Etymology

Origin of anti-¹

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

Origin of anti¹

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

Example Sentences

“All parties, left or right, pro- or anti- the nitrogen approach, have plans for their provinces: the building of houses or energy transition,” she said through a spokesperson.

From New York Times

In a statement to reporters prior to training camp, Beasley said he was not “anti- or pro-vax” but believed in individual choice.

From Washington Times

The chairman of the British Olympic Association says it is "tragic" that CJ Ujah's relay team-mates could lose their silver medals as a result of the sprinter's anti‑doping rule violation.

From BBC

Travis tweeted a video of the crowds, writing how the "anti mask at schools revolution" was underway in Tennessee.

From Fox News

Thousands of young people and political leaders — both anti- and pro-India — were arrested.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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