'anti-ascetical' originates from Greek and Late Latin elements: the prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek 'ἀντί' ('anti') meaning 'against', and 'ascetical' derives from Late Latin/Greek via 'asceticus' and Greek 'asketikos' ('asketikos') relating to 'exercise' or 'practice' in the sense of self-discipline.

'anti-ascetical' formed in English by combining the prefix 'anti-' with 'ascetical' (from 'ascetic' < Latin 'asceticus' < Greek 'asketikos'); 'ascetic' entered English via Late Latin and Old French and 'ascetical' developed as an adjective, later yielding the compound 'anti-ascetical' to express opposition.

Initially, components meant 'against' (anti-) and 'pertaining to ascetic practice' (ascetical); over time the compound has consistently meant 'opposed to or critical of asceticism', retaining the original combined sense.