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

But at least some of the committee decided otherwise in a secret bipartisan vote, perhaps seeing it as an attempt at ending this coddling of Gaetz-style nihilism. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris implored fellow Democrats devastated by her electoral loss to President-elect Donald Trump last month not to give into nihilism during remarks to young leaders in Maryland. —Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024

But for me, at least, all these resets have also introduced a kind of time-travel nihilism: If the world is constantly getting rebooted anyway, who cares if the Umbrella Academy saves it? —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2024

The satisfaction of nihilism is not just in his head but before our eyes. —Armond White, National Review, 29 Nov. 2024

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