'anti-progressive' originates from a combination of Greek 'anti' (ἀντί) meaning 'against' and the component 'progressive', ultimately from Latin 'progressus', where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'gradi/gressus' meant 'to step/go'.

'progress' entered English via Old French 'progres' from Latin 'progressus' (a stepping forward); 'progressive' developed in English with the adjectival suffix '-ive' (c. 19th century); the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek) was attached in modern usage (notably 19th–20th century) to form 'anti-progressive' to label opposition to progressive movements or policies.

Initially used specifically to describe opposition to particular 'progressive' political movements or policies, the term has broadened to mean general resistance to change or modernization in social, cultural, technological, or political contexts.