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

Her hospital self is closer to her true spirit, with its bottom of mortal fatigue and clear-eyed nihilism. —Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025

Here’s how experts and authorities describe nihilism. —Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 8 June 2025

The director, who wrote the screenplay with Qasim Basir (Destined), counters Baraka’s oppressive nihilism with an almost ill-fitting earnestness. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025

Other online movements, such as No Lives Matter, promote nihilism as justification for violence. —Odette Yousef, NPR, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing — more at nil

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for nihilism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

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