as in cynical
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Recent Examples of nihilistic
The state of alienation that permeates and infuses Camus’ prose is the missing ingredient here and, without it, Meursault cuts a very different figure — less adrift in ennui and more intentionally nihilistic.
—
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Before Dean Moriarty in On the Road and James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, there was Meursault, the nihilistic antihero of Albert Camus’ first novel, The Stranger (L’étranger), and one of modern culture’s original bad boys.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
The director is at the top of his visionary nihilistic game in a movie about what’s happening to the world.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
The concept of nihilistic violence – acts lacking an ideological motive and often driven by a need to gain approval in extremist online communities – remains a key conversation whenever a mass tragedy is carried out.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Consistency in one’s commitment to living by one’s own values — even profane, chaotic, nihilistic ones — feels rare right now.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Before Dean Moriarty in On the Road and James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, there was Meursault, the nihilistic antihero of Albert Camus’ first novel, The Stranger (L’étranger), and one of modern culture’s original bad boys.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
The director is at the top of his visionary nihilistic game in a movie about what’s happening to the world.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
The concept of nihilistic violence – acts lacking an ideological motive and often driven by a need to gain approval in extremist online communities – remains a key conversation whenever a mass tragedy is carried out.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Consistency in one’s commitment to living by one’s own values — even profane, chaotic, nihilistic ones — feels rare right now.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nihilistic
Adjective
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Nicole Kidman adds just the right amount of menace as a villainous taxidermist, but the heart of the movie lies in its celebration of kindness, decency and family—values that feel refreshingly radical in our cynical times.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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And there is often an expectation of escapism in romance that precludes dealing realistically with money — or, for big media blockbusters, a cynical assumption that audiences won't enjoy a romcom which also takes the logistics of life seriously.—
Chelsea Fagan,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The future, whether fatalistic or progressive, isn’t certain.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
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To most modern peoples the idea would represent a secular analogue to quietism, fatalistic and Luddite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There’s no nihilist energy in the song.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Losing confidence in landing a job Americans are increasingly pessimistic about their prospects of getting a new job.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Initial assumptions reacting to the April surge in volatility in the financial markets were broadly pessimistic.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nihilistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nihilistic. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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