superhero
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for superhero, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fictional character with extraordinary powers who fights crime or evil.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
caped crusader
crimefighter
Antonyms
How to use superhero
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
superhero movie
superhero costume
real-life superhero
Etymology
From super- + hero, first recorded around 1917, though the genre exploded with comic books from the 1930s onward.
Full origin of superhero →Frequently asked questions
What does “superhero” mean?
The word “superhero” means a fictional character with extraordinary powers who fights crime or evil. In plain terms, a hero with special powers (in fiction), or anyone praised for extraordinary real-world actions.
How do you pronounce “superhero”?
“Superhero” is pronounced SOOP-hih-roh (/ˈs(j)upɚhɪɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “superhero” in a sentence?
Here is “superhero” used in a sentence: “Kids love dressing up as their favourite superhero for Halloween.”
What is the opposite of “superhero”?
The opposite of “superhero” — its antonyms — is supervillain.
What part of speech is “superhero”?
“Superhero” is a noun.
Where does the word “superhero” come from?
The word “superhero” dates back to around 1917. From super- + hero, first recorded around 1917, though the genre exploded with comic books from the 1930s onward.
Is “superhero” a common word?
“Superhero” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “superhero” have?
“Superhero” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fictional character with extraordinary powers who fights crime or evil.
What is the difference between a superhero and a supervillain?
A superhero is a fictional character with extraordinary powers who fights crime or evil, while a supervillain is the opposing figure who uses similar extraordinary abilities for wrongdoing. The two roles are typically defined in direct contrast to each other within a story.
Is "superhero" one word or two words?
"Superhero" is standardly written as a single word in modern English, without a space or hyphen. Older or stylistic usages occasionally hyphenate it as "super-hero," but the closed form is now the accepted standard.
What is the difference between a superhero and a hero?
A hero is simply someone admired for courage, noble acts, or accomplishments, without any requirement of special powers. A superhero is a specific type of hero, either fictional and endowed with extraordinary abilities, or, used loosely, a real person admired for doing something especially impressive.
