'anti-constitutionalism' originates from Modern English, combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí', meaning 'against') with the noun 'constitutionalism' (from 'constitution' + '-al' + '-ism').

'constitutionalism' developed from Latin 'constitutio' (from 'constituere', 'to set up/establish') via Old French 'constitution' and Middle English 'constitucioun'; the suffix '-ism' was added to form 'constitutionalism', and in Modern English the prefix 'anti-' was attached to form 'anti-constitutionalism'.

The components originally meant 'against' (anti-) and 'establishing/setting up' (from Latin roots for 'constitution'); over time the combined term came to mean specifically 'opposition to constitutional government or to the principle that a constitution limits governmental power.'