'anti-prohibitionism' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'prohibitionism' (from 'prohibition' + '-ism'). 'Prohibition' ultimately comes from Latin 'prohibitio' from 'prohibere' where 'pro-' meant 'forward/away' and 'habere'/'hibere' related to 'hold/keep away'.

'prohibere' (Latin) → Old French/Latin medieval forms → Middle English 'prohibiten'/'prohibition' → English 'prohibition' → 'prohibitionism' (support for prohibition) → 'anti-prohibitionism' (formed in early 20th century, notably around the U.S. Prohibition era) as the opposing term.

Initially used specifically to describe opposition to alcohol prohibition (especially during the early 20th-century U.S. Prohibition era), the term has since broadened to denote opposition to prohibitionist policies in general.