'anti-mystical' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (ultimately from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'mystical' (from Latin 'mysticus' via Old French, from Greek 'mystikos' related to 'mystērion' meaning 'mystery').

'mystical' evolved from Greek 'mystikos' (related to 'mystērion' and 'mystes'), into Latin as 'mysticus', then into Old French and Middle English as 'mystical'; the modern compound 'anti-mystical' is a relatively recent English formation using the productive prefix 'anti-' plus the adjective 'mystical'.

Initially, 'mystical' meant 'of mysteries' (especially religious secret rites) and later broadened to 'relating to mysticism or spiritual experience beyond ordinary understanding'; 'anti-' has long meant 'against', and together 'anti-mystical' now means 'opposed to mysticism or mystical belief'.