'anti-choice' originates from a modern English compound combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'αντί' meaning 'against') and the English noun 'choice' (from Old English 'ceosan' meaning 'to choose').

'anti-choice' developed in late 20th-century US political discourse as an alternative label to terms like 'anti-abortion' or 'antiabortion'; the hyphenated compound form 'anti-choice' became established in media and political language.

Initially used similarly to 'anti-abortion' to denote opposition to abortion; over time it has been used broadly and sometimes pejoratively to label those who oppose abortion rights or certain reproductive policies.