'anti-evangelical' originates from Greek and Late Latin/Old French elements: the prefix 'anti-' (Greek 'anti') meaning 'against' and 'evangelical' ultimately from Greek 'euangelion' meaning 'good news'.

'anti-evangelical' is formed by attaching the Greek prefix 'anti-' to the adjective 'evangelical' (which came into English via Late Latin/Old French from Greek 'euangelion'), producing the modern compound 'anti-evangelical'.

Initially formed simply as a compound meaning 'against evangelical (beliefs or people)', the term's usage has remained focused on opposition to evangelicalism but has broadened to include cultural and political criticism of evangelical movements.