antihero

noun

an·​ti·​he·​ro ˈan-tē-ˌhē-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce antihero (audio) 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.
For Le Pacte, the key to the film’s marketing campaign was presenting the story as both a classic crime tale and a portrait of an unconventional antihero. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026 As the series unfurled, proving to a skeptical entertainment industry that women can be compelling antiheroes too, much of that talk revolved around Byrne. Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 The actor played antihero Luke Spencer, joining the sudser in 1978. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026 As the series goes on, Jax morphs from a generally good-hearted guy into a violent, devious antihero. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026 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 14 Mar. 2026.

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