'nonauthoritarian' originates from English, specifically the prefix 'non-' and the word 'authoritarian', where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'authoritarian' is related to 'authority' (Latin 'auctoritas') meaning 'influence, command'.

'authoritarian' entered English via French/Latin roots (French 'autoritaire', Latin 'auctoritas'), and in modern English the negative prefix 'non-' was attached to form 'nonauthoritarian' to indicate the opposite of authoritarian; this formation became used in the 20th century in political and social contexts.

Initially related to 'authority' (power or influence), 'authoritarian' came to mean 'favoring strict obedience to authority'; adding 'non-' changed the sense to 'not favoring strict authority' or 'opposed to authoritarian practices'.