as in cynical
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nihilistic
Investigators are continuing to build a picture of the two suspects in the deadly Monday shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego which killed three people, and which law enforcement officials say may have been driven by nihilistic and accelerationist extremism.
—
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 20 May 2026
In season three, this argument has largely taken a cynical, nihilistic turn.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Looksmaxxing embraces superficiality and body dysmorphia, an alarmingly nihilistic online trend that prioritizes physical attractiveness above all else.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
People were getting tired of dark, nihilistic films.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 16 May 2026
What began as a niche repertory experiment now spans nearly 100 theaters across 73 cities and eight countries, suggesting the Cinematheque’s gleefully nihilistic concept has tapped into a seriously underfed audience.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
This Man on Fire isn’t designed to be a complex, brutal, nihilistic portrait of vigilantism and violence.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Margo’s Got Money Troubles premiered the same week as the third season of HBO’s nihilistic teen drama Euphoria, in which Sydney Sweeney’s dead-eyed Cassie has taken to the popular subscription service, dressing up as a seductive puppy and even a pacifier-sucking baby.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
The senior attending physician’s behavior has worried many in the hospital as he's appeared more nihilistic and short-tempered than usual.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 20 May 2026
In season three, this argument has largely taken a cynical, nihilistic turn.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Looksmaxxing embraces superficiality and body dysmorphia, an alarmingly nihilistic online trend that prioritizes physical attractiveness above all else.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
People were getting tired of dark, nihilistic films.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 16 May 2026
What began as a niche repertory experiment now spans nearly 100 theaters across 73 cities and eight countries, suggesting the Cinematheque’s gleefully nihilistic concept has tapped into a seriously underfed audience.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
This Man on Fire isn’t designed to be a complex, brutal, nihilistic portrait of vigilantism and violence.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Margo’s Got Money Troubles premiered the same week as the third season of HBO’s nihilistic teen drama Euphoria, in which Sydney Sweeney’s dead-eyed Cassie has taken to the popular subscription service, dressing up as a seductive puppy and even a pacifier-sucking baby.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
The senior attending physician’s behavior has worried many in the hospital as he's appeared more nihilistic and short-tempered than usual.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nihilistic
Adjective
-
To start the second half, Australia captain Henry Hutchison made a try-saving tackle on Tristan Leyds, who was then sin-binned for a cynical foul.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
His social commentary reflected disgust with the unfettered capitalism of the Gilded Age, and his cynical aphorisms became widely quoted.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
When the voyeur and his subject begin physically to interact, there is low-key suspense, a hint of danger and a fatalistic romantic current fed by their growing mutual curiosity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Blowing a 3-0 lead in an elimination game was a kick in the shins worthy of this most fatalistic of sports markets.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Advertisement Just as Nietzsche warned of the dangers of a nihilist moral void leading to societal decay, the current disregard for responsible data practices could erode trust in institutions and perpetuate systemic inequalities.—
Alice Xiang,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
Our impressively multicultural team of street racers now freelance in the shadowy and complex world of covert ops, jetting around the world to take down an increasingly unhinged array of nihilist supervillains.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The share of employers with a pessimistic view of the job market for new grads has been rising every year since 2022.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Eighty-one percent of Gen Z believes AI will reduce job opportunities, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll — more pessimistic than any other generation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nihilistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nihilistic. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
