'antiliturgically' originates from Greek and Late Latin elements: the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'ἀντί' meaning 'against', combined with 'liturgical', ultimately from Greek 'λειτουργία' (leitourgia) meaning 'public service' or 'work of the people'.

'antiliturgical' was formed in English by prefixing 'anti-' to 'liturgical' (from Late Latin 'liturgia' < Greek 'leitourgia'); the adverbial form 'antiliturgically' is the adjective with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Initially the components referred to being 'against public service' or 'against the established service'; over time the combined form came to mean specifically 'opposed to liturgical rites or practices' in religious contexts.