antihero
gb/ˈænʃɚoʊ/ us/ˈænʃɚoʊ/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
role
1
Flawed central character
An antihero is the main character in a story who is not a typical good, noble hero but is still interesting or sympathetic.
Usage pattern:
the antihero of [a story]; [someone] is an antihero
Common mistake:
Do not confuse an antihero with a villain. An antihero is usually the main character and may be sympathetic. The spelling anti-hero is also used.
Synonyms
flawed hero (Emphasizes the character's weaknesses while still suggesting sympathy.)
|
unconventional hero (Emphasizes that the character does not fit the normal idea of a hero.)
|
protagonist (Means the main character, without necessarily implying flaws or moral ambiguity.)
Antonyms
hero (A conventional admirable character with heroic qualities.)
|
villain (A morally bad opposing character, not usually the sympathetic central figure.)
Collocations
flawed antihero
|reluctant antihero
|complex antihero
|dark antihero
|classic antihero
|modern antihero
|unlikely antihero
|antihero protagonist
|antihero story
|play an antihero
Themes
literature
|film
|television
|storytelling
|media
Examples
- The series follows an antihero who lies, steals, and still somehow earns the audience's sympathy.
- Many modern crime dramas are built around antiheroes rather than traditional heroes.
- In the novel, the antihero is selfish and cowardly, but his honesty makes him compelling.
Learner examples
- The main character is an antihero, not a perfect hero.
- The movie's antihero does bad things, but the audience still likes him.
Noun
C1
role
2
Admired flawed outsider
An antihero can also be a real person whom people admire because they are imperfect, rebellious, or not like a normal hero.
Usage pattern:
[someone] becomes an antihero; an antihero to [someone]
Common mistake:
This use still suggests public fascination or sympathy; it does not simply mean a bad person.
Synonyms
maverick (Emphasizes independence and refusal to follow normal rules.)
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rebel (Emphasizes opposition to authority or convention.)
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outsider (Emphasizes being separate from accepted society or institutions.)
Antonyms
role model (Someone admired as a good example to follow.)
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hero (Someone admired for clearly positive or noble qualities.)
Collocations
cult antihero
|unlikely antihero
|public antihero
|modern antihero
|become an antihero
|turn into an antihero
|treat someone as an antihero
Themes
culture
|media
|public_life
|society
Examples
- The disgraced athlete became an antihero to fans who admired his refusal to apologize.
- Online, the blunt whistleblower was treated as an antihero rather than a saint.
- His public image shifted from villain to antihero after people heard his side of the story.
Learner examples
- Some fans see him as an antihero because he breaks the rules.
- She became an antihero for people who disliked the system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
antihero
IPA
GB/ˈænʃɚoʊ/
US/ˈænʃɚoʊ/
Syllables & stress
an - ti - hero (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (an)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: antihero
- Plural: anti-heroes, antiheroes
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.