'antiphrasic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antiphrasis', where 'anti-' meant 'against, opposite' and 'phrasis' (from phrazein) meant 'speaking'.

'antiphrasic' derives from Greek 'antiphrasis' (), entered Late Latin and Middle French usage in discussion of rhetorical devices, and was adopted into modern English as the adjective 'antiphrasic'.

Originally referring to the noun 'antiphrasis' (the device of saying the opposite), it came to be used adjectivally to describe language or remarks that employ that device; the core sense (opposite-saying/ironic use) has been preserved.