'antidemocratic' originates from Modern English by combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí', meaning 'against') with 'democratic' (from 'democracy').

'antidemocratic' was formed in Modern English from the prefix 'anti-' + 'democratic'. The element 'democratic' derives from 'democracy', from French 'démocratie' and Latin usage ultimately from Greek 'demokratía' (from 'demos' meaning 'people' + 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'rule'). Earlier adjective forms such as 'antidemocratical' appeared in older English usage.

Initially it meant 'against democracy' in a literal sense; over time the word has retained this core meaning and is used to describe actions, policies, or attitudes that oppose or undermine democratic systems or principles.