antibourgeois

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌæntiˈbʊrʒwɑ/

KK: /æntiˈbʊrʒwɑ/

adjective

Definition

Opposed to the middle class or capitalist society, often in a critical or rebellious way.

Example

The artist's work was deeply antibourgeois, challenging the values of mainstream society.

Comparatives & Superlatives

Comparative: more antibourgeois

Superlative: most antibourgeois

Conversation

I read an article about some antibourgeois movements in the city.

Really? That sounds interesting! What were they about?

They were discussing how to challenge the materialism of the bourgeois lifestyle.

That’s a bold approach! It’s good to see people questioning the status quo.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

antiestablishment

radical

revolutionary

Antonyms

bourgeois

conservative

traditional

Root Explanation

Antibourgeois is formed from "anti-" (meaning against) and "bourgeois" (from Old French *burgeis*, meaning townsman or middle class). The term describes a stance or attitude that is against the bourgeoisie or middle-class values.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'against' ('anti-') the 'middle class' ('bourgeois') — that's what antibourgeois means.

Visually Confused Words