antihero

American  

[an-tee-heer-oh, an-tahy-] / ˈæn tiˌhɪər oʊ, ˈæn taɪ- /

noun

plural

antiheroes

1. a protagonist who lacks the attributes that make a heroic figure, as nobility of mind and spirit, a life or attitude marked by action or purpose, and the like.

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antihero British  

/ ˈæntɪˌhɪərəʊ /

noun

1. a central character in a novel, play, etc, who lacks the traditional heroic virtues

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Other Word Forms

• antiheroism noun

Etymology

Origin of antihero

First recorded in 1705–15; anti- + hero

Example Sentences

As the series unfurled, proving to a skeptical entertainment industry that women can be compelling antiheroes too, much of that talk revolved around Byrne.

From Los Angeles Times

Composer Bernard Herrmann’s score, his last, is alternately mellow and roiling, befitting its placid but simmering antihero.

From The Wall Street Journal

Park stages Man-su’s homicide attempts as slapstick set pieces in which our clumsy antihero himself barely gets out alive.

From Los Angeles Times

The book is powered, however, by its vividly drawn antihero.

From The Wall Street Journal

The story’s sassy, brassy antihero has likewise adorned Christmas trees and school library shelves for generations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bad guy
• baddie
• baddy
• criminal
• devil
• scoundrel
• sinner