'anti-competition' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin elements: 'anti-' from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against', and 'competition' from Latin 'competitio' (from 'competere') meaning 'a striving together'.

'competition' changed from Old French word 'competicion' (from Latin 'competitio') and eventually became the modern English word 'competition'. The compound 'anti-competition' is a modern English formation using the prefix 'anti-' + 'competition'.

Initially, it meant 'against competition' in a general sense, but over time it has come to be used specifically for practices, policies, or clauses that restrict or hinder competition in markets.