'anti-marriage' originates from modern English, formed by the combining of the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') and the noun 'marriage' (from Old French 'mariage', ultimately from Latin roots related to 'maritus' meaning 'husband').

'marriage' changed from the Old French word 'mariage' and entered Middle English as 'mariage', eventually becoming the modern English word 'marriage'; the prefix 'anti-' was borrowed into English from Greek via Latin and French and has been used productively in modern English to form compounds like 'anti-marriage'.

Initially the components separately meant 'against' (anti-) and 'marriage' (the institution of wedlock); combined in modern usage it straightforwardly denotes opposition to marriage, a meaning that has remained consistent since the compound's formation.