'anti-conservatism' is a modern English compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') plus 'conservatism' (the noun form of 'conservative' + '-ism').

'conservatism' comes from French 'conservatisme' and ultimately from Latin 'conservare' meaning 'to preserve'; the prefix 'anti-' is from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against'. These elements combined in modern English to form 'anti-conservatism' as a term describing opposition to conservative thought.

Initially used simply to denote opposition to specific conservative policies or figures, the term broadened to cover a wider ideological stance or cultural tendency opposed to conservative approaches in politics, society, or culture.