Antifa

American  

[an-tee-fuh, an-ti-fuh, an-tee-fah] / ænˈti fə, ˈæn tɪ fə, ˈæn ti fɑ /

Or antifa

noun

1. a political movement whose followers are left-wing activists who oppose fascist authoritarianism, capitalism, and extreme right-wing ideologies such as nationalism, xenophobia, and white supremacy (often used attributively).

   Antifa protesters marched on a far-right demonstration, with police intervening to stop the opposing sides from clashing.

2. a group of such activists, or a member of such a group.

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Etymology

Origin of Antifa

First recorded in 1945–50; from German Antifa, shortening of Antifaschismus “antifascism” and antifaschistisch “antifascist”; see origin at anti- ( def. ), fascism, fascist

Example Sentences

Seven people have gone on trial in Dresden, eastern Germany, charged with being members or supporters of a militant, criminal left-wing extremist group, Antifa Ost - also known as the "hammer gang".

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

As we sat around the table, they made jokes about being Antifa or perhaps being terrorists with their bad knees.

From Slate • Oct. 22, 2025

The first U.S. organization to adopt the name was Rose City Antifa, founded in Portland in 2007.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025

The Boston Police Department said 23-year-old Jared Dowell, who goes by Riley and claims to be nonbinary, was observed spray-painting anti-police phrases associated with Antifa on a monument downtown.

From Washington Times • Jan. 22, 2023

Author Noam Chomsky and journalist Chris Hedges have been outspoken left-wing critics of Antifa, arguing that their tactics hurt the progressive cause.

From Salon • Dec. 6, 2021