'aphilanthropy' is a modern English formation combining the prefix 'a-' (from Greek, meaning 'not' or 'without') and 'philanthropy' (from Greek 'philanthrōpia'), where 'phil-' meant 'loving' and 'anthrōpos' meant 'human'.

'philanthropy' entered English via medieval and modern borrowings from Greek 'philanthrōpia' (through Latin/French forms like 'philanthropie'); 'aphilanthropy' was later formed in English by prefixing the negative 'a-' to the established word 'philanthropy'.

Originally built simply as 'not-philanthropy' (absence of philanthropic feeling), its use has come to cover both passive lack of philanthropy and, less commonly, active opposition to charitable activity.