'antinomist' originates from Greek via New Latin and English, specifically from the Greek elements 'anti-' and 'nomos', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'nomos' meant 'law'.

'antinomist' changed from the Late Latin/New Latin adjective 'antinomianus' and the English noun 'antinomian', and developed as the variant noun 'antinomist' in English usage to denote a person holding those views.

Initially, the roots meant 'against the law' (literally 'against law'); over time the term evolved to refer specifically to the theological or moral position that certain moral laws are not binding, and to a person holding that position.