'antidogmatism' is formed in English from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') + 'dogmatism' (from Greek 'dogma' meaning 'opinion' or 'that which seems good').

'dogmatism' derives from Greek 'dogma' (opinion), passed into Latin and French before entering Middle English as 'dogmatism'; the modern compound 'antidogmatism' was created in English by adding the prefix 'anti-' to 'dogmatism' to indicate opposition.

Initially the elements meant 'against opinion' (anti- + dogma); over time this developed into the specific modern meaning of 'opposition to rigid doctrines or dogmatic assertions.'