The invention discloses a cardanol-based antioxidant as well as a preparation method and application thereof. The cardanol-based antioxidant contains a compound with a structure shown as a formula (1): (shown in the description), wherein n ranges from 0 to 3; R1 and R2 are respectively and independently selected from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl; at least one of R3 and R4 has a structure shown as a formula (2) or (3): (shown in the description); R and R' are respectively and independently selected from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl; R5 is selected from -S-, -O-, -NH- or -(CH2)n'-; n' ranges from 0 to 3; Ra and Rb are respectively and independently selected from H, -OH, -SH, -NH2, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl; m and m' are any integer of 0 to 3 respectively. The cardanol-based antioxidant disclosed by the invention has the characteristics of greenness, environmental protection, antioxidation property, excellent thermal stability and extreme pressure resistance and the like; a preparation process has the advantages of simplicity, feasibility, mild conditions and wide application prospect in the fields of multiple oil products, fuel, plastic, rubber, fibers, coatings and the like.