'anti-sensationalist' originates from the Greek prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'ἀντί' meaning 'against') combined with 'sensationalist', which derives from 'sensation' (from Latin 'sensus', past participle of 'sentire', meaning 'perception') plus the agent suffix '-ist' (via French/Latin use indicating 'one who practices or advocates').

'sensus' (Latin) gave rise to Old French/Medieval terms like 'sensation', which entered Middle English as 'sensation'; 'sensational' developed to mean 'causing great public interest or excitement', 'sensationalist' formed in modern English by adding '-ist', and finally the prefix 'anti-' was attached to form 'anti-sensationalist'.

Originally, 'sensation' referred to 'perception' (from Latin); over time 'sensational' came to mean 'designed to provoke strong public interest or excitement', and 'anti-sensationalist' has come to mean 'opposed to that style or practice'.