nihilism
noun
ni·hil·ism
ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈnē-
ˈnē-
1
a
: a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless
Nihilism is a condition in which all ultimate values lose their value.—
Ronald H. Nash
Ronald H. Nash
b
: a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths
2
a
: a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility
b
capitalized
: the program of a 19th century Russian party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination
Examples of nihilism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example the basic story of the crossing—the redemption through survival, the redemption for what purpose, the nihilism.
—Joan Didion, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Even so, the music continued to spread worldwide and in years since many who make black metal have now staked out the music as a resistance music that stands in opposition to fascism and nihilism.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
This is a game of accelerationism and nihilism, using tools and platforms that excel at depersonalizing, thus rendering empathy for others ever more difficult.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
All provide foundations for a revival of civic populism as a public philosophy and political ethos that generates hope, generosity, and empowerment rather than the resentment, polarization, and nihilism our current ideological climate breeds.
—Harry Boyte and Trygve Throntveit, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
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Joan Didion, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Even so, the music continued to spread worldwide and in years since many who make black metal have now staked out the music as a resistance music that stands in opposition to fascism and nihilism.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
This is a game of accelerationism and nihilism, using tools and platforms that excel at depersonalizing, thus rendering empathy for others ever more difficult.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
All provide foundations for a revival of civic populism as a public philosophy and political ethos that generates hope, generosity, and empowerment rather than the resentment, polarization, and nihilism our current ideological climate breeds.
—Harry Boyte and Trygve Throntveit, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nihilism
Cite this Entry
“Nihilism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nihilism. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nihilism
noun
ni·hi·lism
ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌliz-əm
ˈnē-
ˈnē-
2
: skepticism as to the value of a drug or method of treatment
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