'anti-expressionistic' originates in English as a compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') and 'expressionistic' derived from 'expressionism' (ultimately from Latin 'exprimere'/'expressio' meaning 'to press out' or 'expression').

'expressionism' comes from the noun 'expression' (from Latin 'expressio' via Old French/late Latin), which produced the adjective 'expressionistic'; the prefix 'anti-' (Greek) was later attached in English to form 'anti-expressionistic' to denote opposition to expressionistic ideas.

Initially used to indicate direct opposition to the historical Expressionist movement, the term has broadened to describe any stance or style that rejects expressive, subjective methods in favor of restraint, formalism, or other non-expressive approaches.