'anti-oxidative' originates from the Greek prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') combined with the adjective 'oxidative' (from 'oxidation'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'oxidative' relates to processes of 'oxidation'.

'oxidative' comes from Modern Latin/French forms related to 'oxidation' (e.g. French 'oxydation') ultimately tied to coinages around 'oxygen' (from Greek 'oxys' + 'genēs'), and 'anti-oxidative' was formed in modern English (20th century onward) as a scientific compound joining 'anti-' + 'oxidative'.

Initially the components literally indicated 'against oxidation'; over time the compound settled as an adjective describing substances or properties that prevent or reduce oxidative damage ('having antioxidant properties').