anti-government

adjective

an·​ti-gov·​ern·​ment

ˌan-tē-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt, 

-və-mənt;

-ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, 

-vᵊm-;

ˌan-tī- 

variants or antigovernment

: opposed to or hostile toward governments or a particular government : opposing or resisting governmental policies and power

anti-government attitudes

an antigovernment demonstration

Examples of anti-government in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran’s sweeping crackdown on anti-government demonstrations left more than 6,800 people dead, the vast majority of them protesters killed last month, according to an advocacy organization tracking and confirming the fatalities. —Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

Activity rose during spurts of instability, including the recent anti-government protests — until authorities blocked internet access. —semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026

An Iranian man who was detained in connection to anti-government protests and reportedly sentenced to death has been released on bail, according to a rights group and Iranian state media. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026

The anti-government militia leader can’t make sense of his allies’ support for ICE violence. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anti-government

• misgovernment
• nongovernment