'anti-monopolistic' is formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti', meaning 'against') + 'monopolistic' (derived from 'monopoly' + the adjective-forming suffix '-istic').

'monopoly' originates from Greek 'monopolion' (from 'monos' meaning 'single' and 'polein' meaning 'to sell'); it passed into Latin and Old French and then into Middle English as 'monopoly'. The adjective-forming suffix '-istic' comes via Latin/French from Greek '-istikos'. The compound 'anti-monopolistic' is a modern English formation combining 'anti-' with 'monopolistic' to indicate opposition to monopolies.

Initially, 'monopoly' referred to an exclusive right to sell or trade; over time it came to denote dominant market control. 'Anti-monopolistic' has consistently meant 'against monopoly power,' with its modern usage focused on economic and regulatory contexts.