'anti-scholasticism' is formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek anti- meaning 'against') + 'scholasticism' (from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'scholasticus'/'scholasticismus', based on Greek 'scholastikos' 'of the school').

'scholasticism' developed from Greek 'scholastikos' -> Latin/Medieval Latin 'scholasticus'/'scholasticismus' -> Middle/Modern English 'scholasticism'; the prefix 'anti-' was attached in modern usage to indicate opposition, producing 'anti-scholasticism'.

Originally 'scholasticism' referred generally to 'school-based learning' or 'of the schools'; over time it came to denote the medieval method and system of theological and philosophical study. 'Anti-scholasticism' thus evolved from a general 'against the schools' sense to specifically mean opposition to medieval scholastic methods and doctrines.