'anti-sensual' is a modern English compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti', meaning 'against') and the adjective 'sensual' (from Latin 'sensualis', ultimately from 'sensus' meaning 'feeling').

'sensual' entered English via Old French 'sensuel' and Middle English 'sensual' from Latin 'sensualis'; 'anti-sensual' was formed in modern English by combining 'anti-' + 'sensual' to express opposition to sensuality.

Initially, 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'sensual' related to the senses or bodily pleasure; combined as 'anti-sensual' the meaning became 'against sensual pleasure' and has remained largely consistent in modern use.