'anti-priestism' originates from Modern English as a compound: the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí') meaning 'against', the noun 'priest' (from Old English 'preost'), and the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin/French) forming a doctrine/attitude word.

The element 'priest' changed from Greek 'presbyter' to Latin 'presbyter', then to Old English 'preost' and later to Middle English 'prest/prieste', eventually becoming modern English 'priest'. The prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek 'antí' and entered English via Latin/Old French usages; the suffix '-ism' comes from Greek '-ismos' and was adopted into English to form nouns denoting doctrines or attitudes.

Initially the components meant 'against' (anti-), 'elder/minister' (presbyter/priest), and a formation indicating a system or attitude (-ism); combined, the modern word specifically denotes 'opposition to priests' rather than a broader institutional critique, although usage may overlap with 'anti-clericalism'.