'anti-prelatist' is an English formation combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí', meaning 'against') with 'prelatist', derived from 'prelate' plus the agentive suffix '-ist'. 'Prelate' ultimately comes from Latin 'praelatus' (past participle of 'praeferre').

'prelate' comes from Latin 'praelatus' → through Medieval/Old French forms into Middle English 'prelate'; 'prelatist' (one relating to or supporting a prelate) was formed in English, and 'anti-prelatist' arose by adding the prefix 'anti-' (17th century usage in ecclesiastical controversies) to mean one opposed to prelacy.

Originally used in the context of specific 16th–17th century church disputes to denote opponents of bishops' institutional power, the term's core meaning has remained largely the same: opposition to prelacy or prelates' authority.