Anthraquinones having an anthracene core structure with two carbonyl groups are essential compounds in therapeutic applications. One of the growing concerns within the medical community is antimicrobial resistance. Multiple drug-resistant microbes can worsen a disease that can be easily treated with normal drugs. Microbes also produce biofilms that further enhance their resistance to antimicrobials, rendering biofilm-associated infections challenging to eradicate. This review provides an update on the antibacterial and antifungal activities of natural and synthetic anthraquinone derivatives. The mechanism of antibacterial and antifungal action of anthraquinones are summarised, which will help in designing new therapeutically effective anthraquinone compounds.