'anti-colonialist' originates from the prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'colonialist' referring to someone who supports colonialism.

'anti-colonialist' evolved from the combination of 'anti-' and 'colonialist' in the 20th century as movements against colonial rule gained prominence.

Initially, it meant 'opposing colonial rule,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.