'antipathist' originates from Greek via New Latin/English formation, specifically the Greek word 'antipathēs', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'pathos' meant 'feeling'.

'antipathist' changed from Greek 'antipathēs' into Late Latin/New Latin formations such as 'antipathista' and was later adapted into English as 'antipathist'.

Initially, it meant 'one affected by or exhibiting antipathy' (or 'one who practices antipathy'); over time it has come to be used simply for 'a person who feels strong dislike or aversion.'