anti-

prefix

ˌan-ˌtī, 

ˌan-tē

also ˌan-ti before consonants

variants or ant- or anth-

1

a

: of the same kind but situated opposite, exerting energy in the opposite direction, or pursuing an opposite policy

anticlinal

b

: one that is opposite in kind to

anticlimax

2

a

: opposing or hostile to in opinion, sympathy, or practice

anti-Semite

b

: opposing in effect or activity

antacid

3

: serving to prevent, cure, or alleviate

antianxiety

4

: combating or defending against

antiaircraft

antimissile

5

: being or composed of antimatter

antiproton

antihydrogen

Word History

Etymology

anti- from Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin, against, from Greek, from anti; ant- from Middle English, from Latin, against, from Greek, from anti; anth- from Latin, against, from Greek, from anti — more at ante-

Rhymes for anti-

• ante
• anti
• auntie
• canty
• grantee
• panty
• scanty
• shanty
• chianti
• vigilante

Kids Definition

anti-

prefix

ˌant-i, 

ˌant-ē, 

ˌan-ˌtī

variants or ant- or anth-

1

: opposite in kind, position, or action

antihistamine

2

: opposed to

antisocial

3

: working against

antibacterial

antipollution

Etymology

derived from Greek anti- "against"