'antipriest' originates from a combination of the prefix 'anti-' and the English word 'priest'; 'anti-' comes ultimately from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against', and 'priest' comes from Old English 'preost' (from Latin 'presbyter'/'presbyterus') meaning 'elder' or 'priest'.

'antipriest' is a modern compound formed from the productive English prefix 'anti-' (from Greek via Latin) and the long-established English noun 'priest' (Old English 'preost', from Latin 'presbyter'), resulting in the modern English compound 'antipriest'.

Initially the elements meant 'against' + 'priest', and the compound has retained that basic sense of being opposed to priests or their influence.