'antiexpressionist' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') plus 'expressionist' (one who follows or is associated with 'expressionism').

'expressionist' comes from 'expressionism', borrowed into English from German 'Expressionismus' (early 20th century); 'expression' derives from Latin 'expressio' (from 'exprimere' meaning 'to press out'). The compound 'antiexpressionist' was formed in English by adding the prefix 'anti-' to 'expressionist'.

Initially tied specifically to opposition to the early 20th-century art movement 'expressionism'; over time the term has been used more broadly for opposition to highly subjective or emotionally expressive styles in various arts.