'antigraft' originates from Modern English, formed by combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') and the English noun 'graft' (meaning 'corruption, bribery').

'antigraft' developed as a compound (often written 'anti-graft') in political and journalistic usage in the 20th century to describe measures or movements against graft.

Initially and throughout its use it has meant 'against graft'; the core meaning has remained consistent as a label for opposition to corrupt practices.