Main Entry: ni·hil·ism

Pronunciation: \ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm, ˈnē-\

Function: noun

Etymology: German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing — more at nil

Date: circa 1817

1 a : a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless 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

— ni·hil·ist \-list\ noun or adjective

— ni·hil·is·tic \ˌnī-(h)ə-ˈlis-tik, ˌnē-\ adjective