'apoliticism' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'a-' (from Greek 'a-' meaning 'not' or 'without') + 'politicism', ultimately based on 'politic'/'politics' (from Greek 'politikos' meaning 'of or relating to citizens' via Latin and Old French).

'apoliticism' developed from the adjective 'apolitical' (mid 19th century), which was formed from 'a-' + 'political'; the noun 'apoliticism' was later formed by adding the suffix '-ism' to indicate a state, condition, or doctrine of being apolitical.

Initially it literally meant 'not political' or 'without political interest'; over time this core sense has remained stable and it is used to denote indifference to, avoidance of, or neutrality toward politics.