nihilism

noun

ni·​hil·​ism ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm  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

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

nihilist

ˈnī-(h)ə-list 

ˈnē-

noun or adjective

nihilistic

ˌnī-(h)ə-ˈli-stik 

ˌnē-

adjective

Examples of nihilism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Does this Civil War nihilism indicate how our current history will be rewritten? —Armond White, National Review, 2 Oct. 2024

In charting their unlikely romance, Covell pulled off a surprising feat of humor and nihilism—which Kaos accomplishes at a grander scale. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2024

Yes, but: This thinking can result in a nobody-knows-nothin' kind of nihilism. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 3 Sep. 2024

Populism, ethnic nationalism, radicalization, and the politics of nihilism and despair all have American versions, which are now more linked than ever, via the Internet and social media, to their global equivalents. —Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing — more at nil

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

nihilism

noun

ni·​hi·​lism ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌliz-əm  ˈnē- 

1

: nihilistic delusion

2

: skepticism as to the value of a drug or method of treatment

nihilistic

ˌnī-(h)ə-ˈlis-tik, ˌnē- 

adjective