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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

For awhile, the play indulges the catharsis of nihilism in the face of political defeat. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2023

Drill’s bleakness and nihilism, its immersion in gang conflicts, its incorporation of local color and local lingo, gave voice to young—often, very young—Black men, and stood in contrast to a hip-hop mainstream that had in various ways lost touch with its grass roots. —Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2022

But to Goodfellow, 53, the conference is a good antidote to the nihilism ravaging parts of America. —Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2022

But Broomfield talks to a great many people (gang members, former bodyguards and henchmen, friends and associates of Tupac and Biggie), and what emerges from their testimony is a heightened look at a cultural moment — in hip-hop, and in the marketing of nihilism as celebrity. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Aug. 2021

Today’s web is full of a kind of hipster nihilism. —Rose Eveleth, WIRED, 29 Dec. 2022

A lot of people, when confronted with the unfathomable vastness of the universe, feel insignificant to the point of apathy, or even nihilism. —Eliza Berman, Time, 28 Sep. 2022

Fewer hot priests, more nihilism. —refinery29.com, 28 July 2021

Since the group’s rabid four-album start, setting a ridiculously high bar for turning doom-metal and thrash-nihilism into wrenchingly emotional high art has been the blessing and curse of Metallica. —A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 14 Apr. 2023

See More

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