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Antihero: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Antihero noun. A central character who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as courage, honesty or kindness.
How to say it
AN-tee-heer-oh/ˈantɪhɪərəʊ/
4 syllables, stressed on the first (AN). Forms: antiheroes, anti-hero.
Antihero in a sentence
The series' antihero, a grumpy chemistry teacher turned criminal, had viewers rooting for him anyway.
Her favourite antiheroes are the lazy, the cowardly and the hopelessly vain.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- flawed hero
- rogue
- antiheroine
Opposite:
- hero
Where antihero comes from
From anti-, against, and hero; the word appears in English from the early 18th century.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Her favourite _____ are the lazy, the cowardly and the hopelessly vain.
- lipogram
- antihero
- aposiopesis
Show the answer
antihero: Her favourite antiheroes are the lazy, the cowardly and the hopelessly vain.