'anti-socialist' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí') meaning 'against' and 'socialist' from French 'socialiste'.

'socialist' changed from French word 'socialiste' (19th century), itself formed from 'social' + suffix '-ist' ultimately from Latin 'socialis'; the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí') was attached in English to form 'anti-socialist'.

Initially it meant 'against socialist ideology or policies', and this core meaning has remained essentially the same in modern usage.