'antiprohibitionist' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'), the noun 'prohibition' (from Latin 'prohibitio'), and the agent suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin via French '-iste'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'prohibitio' meant 'a forbidding'.

'antiprohibitionist' changed from earlier formations such as 'anti-prohibition' + the agent suffix '-ist' used in 19th–20th century political debates (notably around alcohol prohibition) and eventually became the single compound modern English word 'antiprohibitionist'.

Initially it specifically referred to opponents of alcohol prohibition during historical temperance/prohibition movements, but over time it has come to denote anyone opposed to prohibition policies more generally.