anti
anti — adjective
1. feeling or showing opposition to something already known from the conversation,
feeling or showing opposition to something already known from the conversation, used alone after 'be' with no following noun.
Most of the village is firmly anti when it comes to the new highway plan.
predicative: be + anti (no following noun)
Tomás used to support the merger, but after seeing the budget he is now strongly anti.
intensifier: strongly anti
Rashida asked his parents about the new shopping mall, and they said they were strongly anti.
The student newspaper sounded surprisingly anti this week about the dress code, with angry letters on every page.
- pro
informal opposite — in favour of something
- supportive
actively helping rather than just agreeing
文法句型
be anti
be very/strongly anti
用法筆記
Used predicatively only (after 'be', 'feel', 'sound'); never directly before a noun. Typically informal — in formal writing, prefer 'opposed' or 'against'.
常見錯誤
anti — noun
1. someone who works publicly to stop a plan, change, or activity from happening, e
someone who works publicly to stop a plan, change, or activity from happening, especially in politics or campaigns.
Outside the town hall, the antis waved cardboard signs against the new airport.
plural noun: the antis (a group of opponents)
Senator Hayes called the protesters a small but loud group of antis.
Nadia has always been an anti when it comes to fox hunting in her county.
The mayor met with both the supporters and the antis before the final vote on Friday.
文法句型
the antis
an anti of [thing]
用法筆記
Usually plural ('the antis') and refers to organised opposition rather than a private opinion. Rare in formal writing; common in news reports about campaigns and protests.
常見錯誤
anti — preposition
1. used directly before a noun phrase to mean 'opposed to' that specific person, gr
used directly before a noun phrase to mean 'opposed to' that specific person, group, or thing.
Grandpa Walter is anti every modern gadget that needs charging overnight.
anti + noun phrase (preposition use)
Many young voters in this district are loudly anti the proposed water tax.
anti + the + specific policy
The coach is not anti video games; she just wants the team off their phones at training.
Several teachers said they were anti the new homework policy because it gave students no free evenings.
- against
much more common; same meaning in this slot, all registers
- opposed to
formal alternative; needs 'to'
文法句型
be anti + noun
be anti + person/group
用法筆記
Used between 'be' (or similar verb) and a noun phrase: 'be anti X'. Distinguish from the adjective sense (1) which stands alone with no noun: 'They are anti' vs 'They are anti the plan.'
常見錯誤
anti — prefix
1. added to a word to form a new word meaning that someone is hostile to, or campai
added to a word to form a new word meaning that someone is hostile to, or campaigns against, the group, belief, or person named.
The journalist called the new law deeply anti-immigrant and warned families to read it carefully.
anti- + noun naming a group
Maria grew up in an anti-monarchy household where republic posters covered the kitchen walls.
anti- + ideology
The minister denied that her speech was anti-American, despite the angry response online.
Thousands of anti-war protesters marched quietly through the centre of Lisbon on Sunday.
- counter-
less personal; suggests responding to rather than hating
- pro-
supports the same group or belief
文法句型
anti- + noun (group, ideology, person)
anti- + adjective
用法筆記
Almost always written with a hyphen. Distinguish from sense 2 (opposite version of) and sense 3 (preventing): this sense names a target of hostility — a group, belief, country, or activity people campaign against.
常見錯誤
2. added to a word to name a version of something that has the opposite qualities,
added to a word to name a version of something that has the opposite qualities, role, or purpose from the usual one.
Critics described the film's quiet, kind lead as a true anti-hero of modern cinema.
anti- + noun creates opposite-kind term
Physicists at CERN trapped a tiny cloud of antimatter for nearly twenty minutes.
scientific use: antimatter
Software engineers often share a list of common anti-patterns that quietly slow large projects down.
The party ended on a flat anti-climax when the band cancelled twenty minutes before the final song.
文法句型
anti- + noun (creates an opposite-kind noun)
用法筆記
Different from sense 1: here 'anti-' does not mean 'hostile to' but 'a reversed kind of'. An anti-hero is not someone who hates heroes; it is a hero with the opposite usual traits.
常見錯誤
3. added to a word to describe a substance, device, or action whose job is to stop,
added to a word to describe a substance, device, or action whose job is to stop, treat, or reduce the problem named in that word.
Dr. Sven prescribed a strong antibiotic for the painful infection in Yuki's right ear.
antibiotic: drug that fights bacteria
Before the long flight, Sofia rubbed antibacterial gel into her hands and her son's hands.
anti- + bacterial (preventing harm)
The new car has anti-lock brakes that stop the wheels skidding on icy mountain roads.
Builders sprayed an anti-rust coating on the iron beams before lifting them onto the bridge.
Nurses gave the children a sweet syrup full of antiviral medicine after the outbreak.
- counter-
shares 'blocking' meaning in some pairs (counter-attack)
文法句型
anti- + noun (the harm being blocked)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (hostile to a group) and sense 2 (opposite kind of): this sense pairs with names of problems (rust, bacteria, viruses, theft, freeze) to name the cure or guard.