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

Standing in the way of that is Gen Z’s nihilism, which is driving young people’s decisions to rack up credit card debt and not save for retirement, Scanlon warned. —Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025

Populated by unhinged men and masochistic women, and punctuated by fiery, increasingly histrionic set pieces, Smoke fails to reconcile its mood of noirish nihilism with its efforts at social commentary. —Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025

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

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