'antisacerdotalist' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin elements: Greek 'anti-' (meaning 'against') and Latin 'sacerdotalis' (from 'sacerdos', meaning 'priest'), with the agent-forming suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin via French) meaning 'one who'.

'antisacerdotalist' was formed by joining the prefix 'anti-' + the adjective 'sacerdotal' (from Latin 'sacerdotalis' derived from 'sacerdos') + the suffix '-ist', producing a modern English agent noun meaning 'one opposed to sacerdotalism'.

Initially the components expressed 'against' + 'pertaining to priests'; combined as 'antisacerdotalist' it has meant 'a person opposed to priestly authority' and has retained that specific meaning.