'antimodernist' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') + 'modern' (from Latin 'modernus') + the agent suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin-derived English suffix meaning 'one who adheres to or practices').

'modern' derives from Latin 'modernus' (from 'modo' meaning 'just now'); 'modernus' entered Romance languages and Middle English as 'modern'. The element 'anti-' (Greek) was combined with 'modern' and the English suffix '-ist' to coin 'antimodernist' in modern English usage.

Initially, 'modern' meant 'of or relating to the present time' (from Latin 'modo' = 'just now'); over time it came to denote newness, recent styles, or contemporary movements. Consequently, 'antimodernist' evolved to mean 'opposed to modernity, modernism, or contemporary innovations.'