anti
AN-tee
Anti (adj) means Opposed to a particular idea, policy, or plan. Example: “He's pretty anti when it comes to raising taxes.”
adj
1
Opposed to a particular idea, policy, or plan.
"He's pretty anti when it comes to raising taxes."
"I'm not anti change, but this plan feels rather rushed."
"Most of the villagers are anti the idea of a new car park."
noun
1
A person who is strongly against a particular thing, cause, or public figure.
"The antis gathered outside the stadium with signs, but the match went ahead peacefully."
"As a lifelong anti, he never missed a chance to argue against the proposal."
"The band has a dedicated fanbase, but also a loud group of antis online."
How to use anti
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing against something, or a person who is against something.
When to use it
Informal — mostly used in casual speech and online discussion rather than formal writing.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- antis
- Comparative
- more anti
- Superlative
- most anti
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's pretty _____ when it comes to raising taxes.
Etymology
The prefix anti- (meaning "against") used on its own as a standalone word.
Related words
Rhymes for anti
See all rhymes for anti →Frequently asked questions
What does “anti” mean?
The word “anti” means opposed to a particular idea, policy, or plan. In plain terms, being against something, or a person who is against something.
How do you pronounce “anti”?
“Anti” is pronounced AN-tee (/ˈæn.taɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “anti” in a sentence?
Here is “anti” used in a sentence: “He's pretty anti when it comes to raising taxes.”
What is the opposite of “anti”?
The opposite of “anti” — its antonyms — is pro.
What part of speech is “anti”?
Depending on how it is used, “anti” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “anti” a common word?
“Anti” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “anti” have?
“Anti” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: opposed to a particular idea, policy, or plan.
What is the difference between anti and pro?
Pro and anti are direct opposites. To be pro something is to support or favour it, while to be anti something is to oppose or be against it. Someone pro-reform backs the changes; someone anti-reform wants to block them. The two work as a matched pair, both as prefixes and as standalone words.
Is 'anti' a word or a prefix?
It is both. As a prefix, anti- attaches to other words to mean 'against', as in anti-war or antifreeze. On its own, 'anti' works as an informal adjective or preposition meaning opposed, as in 'I'm anti the whole plan'. The standalone use is more casual than the joined prefix.
Is using 'anti' on its own formal or informal?
Using 'anti' as a standalone adjective, as in 'She's very anti', is informal and conversational. In formal writing it usually appears as a prefix joined to another word, or is replaced by fuller phrases such as 'opposed to' or 'against'. Both are correct, but the standalone form suits speech best.
What is an example of 'anti' as an adjective?
You might say 'The committee was strongly anti the proposed merger', meaning they opposed it. Other everyday examples include 'He's anti anything new' or 'Most residents are anti the development'. In each case, 'anti' stands alone to signal opposition without being attached to another word.
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