'antistate' originates from Modern English, formed by compounding the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí', meaning 'against') with 'state' (ultimately from Latin 'status' via Old French 'estat').

'anti-' comes from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against'. 'State' derives from Latin 'status', passed into Old French as 'estat' and into Middle English as 'state'. The compound 'antistate' is a Modern English formation combining these elements to mean 'against the state'.

Initially and throughout its usage the term has meant 'against the state' or 'opposed to state authority'; its core meaning has remained largely consistent, though usage varies by political context.