'anti-governmental' originates from a modern English formation combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti') meaning 'against' and the adjective 'governmental' (from 'government'). 'government' ultimately comes from Old French 'governer' and Latin 'gubernare', where 'gubernare' meant 'to steer' or 'to direct'.

'gubernare' (Latin) changed into Old French 'governer' and then Middle English 'governen'/'govern', which produced the noun 'government' and the adjective 'governmental'; the modern compound 'anti-governmental' was formed by adding the prefix 'anti-' to 'governmental' to express opposition.

Initially 'gubernare' meant 'to steer' or 'to pilot', but over time it evolved into meanings related to ruling or directing public affairs; with the prefix 'anti-' the modern term means 'against or opposed to the government'.