'antisocialist' originates from Modern English, specifically formed by the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') attached to the noun 'socialist'. 'Anti-' ultimately derives from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against', and 'socialist' derives via French 'socialiste' from 'social'.

'antisocialist' was often written as the hyphenated form 'anti-socialist' in early 20th-century political writing and later solidified as the single word 'antisocialist'. The element 'socialist' came into English from French 'socialiste', itself formed from 'social' + '-iste', and 'social' traces to Latin 'sociālis' (from 'socius', 'companion').

Initially it referred specifically to opposition to organized socialist parties or movements; over time it has continued to mean 'against socialism' but is also used more generally to describe opposition to socialist ideas or policies.