'ankylosaur-like' originates from the compound of 'ankylosaur' + the English suffix '-like'. 'Ankylosaur' derives from New Latin 'Ankylosaurus', which itself comes from Greek 'ankylos' meaning 'bent, fused' and 'sauros' meaning 'lizard'. The suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'līc' meaning 'similar' or 'having the nature of'.

'Ankylosaurus' was coined as a genus name in New Latin in the early 20th century (from Greek elements). The term 'ankylosaur' broadened to refer to the group Ankylosauria. The adjective form 'ankylosaur-like' developed in modern English by attaching the productive suffix '-like' to denote resemblance.

Initially, the root referred specifically to the named dinosaur group ('Ankylosaurus' and related ankylosaurs). Over time, combining it with '-like' extended the sense from the taxonomic group to any object or organism that resembles or has characteristics of an ankylosaur.