'antihypertensive' originates from Modern English, combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek, meaning 'against') with 'hypertensive', which derives from 'hypertension' (Greek 'hyper-' meaning 'over, excessive' + Latin/Neo-Latin elements relating to 'tension').

'antihypertensive' was formed in 20th-century English from 'anti-' + 'hypertensive' (from 'hypertension'). 'Hypertension' itself comes via New Latin from Greek 'hyper-' + Latin-derived 'tension' (from Latin 'tendere' meaning 'to stretch'), and the modern medical term developed into 'antihypertensive' to name drugs acting against hypertension.

Initially formed to mean 'against hypertension' (literally 'against excessive pressure'), it has come to be used specifically for drugs or agents that lower high blood pressure.