Antifa
Americannoun
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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.
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a group of such activists, or a member of such a group.
Etymology
Origin of Antifa
First recorded in 1945–50; from German Antifa, shortening of Antifaschismus “antifascism” and antifaschistisch “antifascist”; see origin at anti- ( def. ), fascism, fascist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Trials of other members of Antifa Ost are currently under way in German courts in Düsseldorf and Dresden.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
As we sat around the table, they made jokes about being Antifa or perhaps being terrorists with their bad knees.
From Slate • Oct. 22, 2025
The first U.S. organization to adopt the name was Rose City Antifa, founded in Portland in 2007.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025
Despite one heated exchange between protesters and Antifa members, the conflict didn’t turn violent and no police reports were filed nor were any arrests made, according to the Daily Mail.
From Washington Times • Aug. 30, 2022
So, there are certainly a wide range of opinions about Antifa on the left.
From Salon • Dec. 6, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.