'anti-ritualist' originates from Greek and Latin elements, specifically the Greek word 'anti' where 'anti-' meant 'against', and the Latin word 'ritualis' (from 'ritus') where 'ritus' meant 'ceremony'; the English agentive suffix '-ist' denotes 'one who practices or holds a belief'.

'anti-ritualist' developed in modern English by compounding the prefix 'anti-' with 'ritualist'. 'Ritual' entered English via Old French and Latin ('ritualis' from 'ritus'), and the suffix '-ist' was added to form agent nouns; these parts were later combined to form the compound 'anti-ritualist'.

Initially it meant 'against ritual practice or ritualists'; over time the compound has retained that basic sense and is used both as a noun for a person holding that view and as an adjective describing opposition to ritualism.