'antlike' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'ant' and the suffix '-like', where 'ant' referred to the insect and '-like' meant 'resembling'.

'ant' comes from Old English 'ǣmete' (or 'æmete'), which became Middle English 'ant(e)' and then modern English 'ant'; the suffix '-like' derives from Old English 'līc'/'gelīc' meaning 'body, form' and developed into the adjectival suffix '-like' in Middle English, together producing 'antlike'.

Initially it literally meant 'resembling an ant' and over time it has retained that basic meaning while also being applied figuratively (e.g., to describe antlike behavior such as cooperative or organized activity).