'anti-Masonic' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'Masonic', which relates to 'Mason' (a stoneworker) plus the adjectival suffix '-ic'.

'anti-' (Greek) was combined with 'Masonic' (from Middle English 'mason', via Old French 'maçon' for 'stone worker') to form 'anti-Masonic'. The compound gained particular prominence in the early 19th century in the United States in reference to the Anti-Masonic Party and related movements.

Initially a neutral compound meaning 'against Masons' or 'relating to Masonry', it developed a specific political and social sense in the 19th century as opposition to Freemasonry and, by extension, to perceived secret-society influence; that sense remains the primary meaning today.