'antiplasticizer' originates from English, specifically constructed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek/Latin via Old French meaning 'against') + 'plastic' (from Greek 'plastikos' meaning 'molded' or 'fit for shaping') + the agent-forming suffix '-izer' (an English/French-derived suffix meaning 'one that causes or is concerned with'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'plastic' meant 'moldable/pliable'.

'antiplasticizer' developed as a compound after the formation of 'plasticizer' (itself from 'plastic' + the verb-forming '-ize' and agent '-er'). The modern English compound adds the prefix 'anti-' to indicate opposition to the function of a 'plasticizer', producing 'antiplasticizer'.

Initially, 'plastic' described something 'moldable' and 'plasticizer' came to mean an agent that increases plasticity (flexibility). Over time the compound 'antiplasticizer' emerged to denote an agent that reduces plasticity or counteracts plasticizers.