antihero

noun

an·​ti·​he·​ro
ˈan-tē-ˌhē-(ˌ)rō,
ˈan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antihero (audio)
-ˌhir-(ˌ)ō
plural antiheroes
: a protagonist or notable figure who is conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities
antiheroic
ˌan-tē-hi-ˈrō-ik
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antihero (audio)
adjective

Examples of antihero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Authority — The feature, which was announced two years ago, is set to follow a group of antiheroes who take matters into their own hands despite what governments advise. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025 Across two record-setting seasons, Alan Ritchson has proved his mettle and then some as larger-than-life antihero Jack Reacher on Prime Video’s Reacher. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025 How baseball’s newest big-market antihero reacts to villain storyline Dodgers trade reliever Ryan Brasier to the Chicago Cubs Dodgers are heroes, not villains. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025 While Deadpool is depicted as a crude antihero, Nicepool is a secret sexist who hides his true nature behind a shallow veneer of progressivism. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antihero

Word History

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antihero was in 1714

Cite this Entry

“Antihero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antihero. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on antihero

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