'anti-deflation' originates from Greek and Late Latin/English elements: the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against', combined with 'deflation', which in English derives from Late Latin 'deflatio' (from 'de-' + Latin 'flare') where 'de-' meant 'off, away' and 'flare' meant 'to blow'.

'deflation' developed from Late Latin 'deflatio' (a blowing away), passed through French as 'déflation' in modern usage, and was adopted into English with the economic sense 'general decline in prices'; 'anti-' as a combining form has long been used in English to form compounds meaning 'against'. Together they formed the compound 'anti-deflation' in contemporary economic usage.

Initially, roots related to 'deflation' had physical senses of 'blowing away' or 'letting air out'; over time 'deflation' acquired the economic meaning 'a decrease in the general price level', and 'anti-deflation' came to mean opposition to or measures against that economic condition.