'anti-sophistry' originates from Greek elements: the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek ἀντί) meaning 'against' and 'sophistry' ultimately from Greek 'sophisma'/'sophistēs' (σόφισμα / σοφιστής), where 'soph-' related to 'wise' or 'skill'.

'sophistry' comes from Greek 'sophisma' and 'sophistēs', passed into Latin and Old French and then Middle English as forms like 'sophisterie', eventually becoming modern English 'sophistry'. The prefix 'anti-' is from Greek ἀντί and has been used productively in English to form compounds like 'anti-something'; 'anti-sophistry' is a modern English coinage combining these elements.

Initially, roots related to 'soph-' referred to wisdom or skill, but 'sophistry' evolved to mean 'specious or deceptive argument.' 'Anti-sophistry' therefore developed as a term meaning 'against deceptive or specious reasoning.'