'antiprelatism' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'prelatism' (from 'prelate' + '-ism'); 'prelate' comes from Latin 'praelatus' (past participle of 'praeferre'), and the suffix '-ism' comes via Greek '-ismos' and Latin usage meaning 'doctrine or practice'.

'antiprelatism' developed as a compound from the older element 'prelate' (Middle English 'prelate', from Old French 'prelat', from Latin 'praelatus') with the productive English prefix 'anti-' and suffix '-ism'; forms such as 'anti-prelatism' (hyphenated) appear in historical usage before the solid compound form.

Initially it meant 'opposition to rule by prelates' in ecclesiastical and political contexts; that core meaning has remained stable, though the term has been relatively rare and specialized.