'antiritualism' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'ritualism' (from 'ritual' + suffix '-ism').

'ritual' ultimately comes from Latin 'ritus' via Old French 'rituel' into Middle English 'rituel'; 'ritualism' developed as the noun denoting an emphasis on ritual, and 'antiritualism' was formed by adding the prefix 'anti-' to express opposition.

Initially it simply indicated opposition to ritual practice; over time it has been used both descriptively and polemically to denote movements or attitudes that reject formal ceremonies, and this core meaning has remained consistent.