'anti-politics' is a modern English compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek anti- meaning 'against') and 'politics' (from Greek 'politika', meaning 'affairs of the city' or 'citizens' affairs').

'politics' traces back to Greek 'politika' via Latin and Old French into Middle English; 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti-'. The compound 'anti-politics' emerged in the 20th century as a label for sentiments and movements opposed to conventional political institutions.

Originally, 'anti-' simply meant 'against' and 'politics' referred to civic affairs; over time the compound came to denote a broader attitude—hostility, distrust, or rejection of political processes and institutions.