'antiadiaphorist' originates from Greek elements 'anti-' and 'adiaphora', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'adiaphora' meant 'indifferent things' (things not essential to faith).

'adiaphora' passed from Greek into theological Latin as 'adiaphora' and entered English via Latin and Middle English usage; the compound 'antiadiaphorist' was coined in English in the 16th century to name those opposed to conciliatory or compromising measures in worship and rites.

Initially it denoted someone 'against indifferent things' in a general sense; over time it came to refer specifically to opponents of concessions on nonessential religious rites, especially in the context of the Reformation.