antihero

[ an-tee-heer-oh, an-tahy- ]

noun

, plural an·ti·he·roes.

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.

antihero

/ ˈæntɪˌhɪərəʊ /

noun

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

Other Words From

• an·ti·her·o·ism [an-tee-, her, -oh-iz-, uh, m, an-tahy-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antihero¹

First recorded in 1705–15; anti- + hero

Example Sentences

One of Succession’s smartest moves is the way it flips a common characteristic of the antihero drama — the main character is always six steps ahead — to reveal how “mastermind” status can mask toxic and abusive tendencies.

From Vox

The core of Philipps’s book is Special Operations Chief Eddie Gallagher, a senior enlisted SEAL and antihero who is portrayed as possessing almost superhuman powers.

From Washington Post

Comedy has seen its share of influential male antiheroes as well, from “social assassin” Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm to New Girl’s prickly, problem-drinker love interest Nick Miller.

From Time

In the late ’90s, The Sopranos ushered in the age of the antihero.

From Time

The era of the female villain-turned-protagonist—or at least antihero—is in full swing, with Margot Robbie and Sarah Paulson recently taking on the roles of Harley Quinn and Nurse Ratched, respectively.

From Time

What could have been yet another instance of cheap cable carnality—the irresistible male antihero!

From The Daily Beast

Everyone has a theory on how Mad Men will end, and one of the most popular is that our suave, slick antihero will die.

From The Daily Beast

I also want to say that there's a degree to which we never really thought of this as an antihero show.

From The Daily Beast

So when he graduated from antihero to pop stalwart in the mid-aughts, the rap world largely lost interest.

From The Daily Beast

At Last is the fifth novel about Patrick Melrose, St Aubyn's unhappy and self-absorbed antihero.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

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