What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
against
Example
I am against the idea of cutting down more trees in the park. [against: preposition]
Example
The car crashed against the wall, causing significant damage. [against: preposition]
Example
The new policy is against the interests of small businesses. [against: adjective]
anti
Example
He is anti-smoking and always encourages his friends to quit. [anti: prefix]
Example
The anti-government protesters gathered in the city center to demand change. [anti: adjective]
Example
This cream contains anti-aging properties that can help reduce wrinkles. [anti: prefix]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Against is a more common word than anti and is used in everyday language in a variety of contexts. Anti is less common and is typically used in more specialized fields such as politics or medicine.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between against and anti?
Against is a more formal word than anti and is often used in legal or academic contexts. Anti is more informal and is commonly used in political or social contexts.