'antipopulism' originates from modern English formation combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek/Latin 'anti-' meaning 'against') and 'populism' (from Latin 'populus' meaning 'people').

'antipopulism' is a modern compound formed in English from 'anti-' + 'populism'. 'Populism' entered English via French 'populisme' in the late 19th century, ultimately from Latin 'populus' ('people'), while the prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek/Latin meaning 'against'.

Initially the elements meant 'against' (anti-) and 'people' (populus) in their roots; together in modern English the compound came to mean explicit opposition to populist ideas or movements.