nihilism
noun
ni·hil·ism
ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈnē-
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
Ronald H. Nash… the play indulges the catharsis of nihilism in the face of political defeat.—Christian Holub
Christian HolubAmidst self-doubt and dismal consumerism, Crack Cloud's third album, Red Mile, soldiers on in hopeful nihilism, insisting to lean into creativity when the process seems futile.—Margaret Farrell
Margaret Farrell
b
: a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths
2
: a doctrine that no reality exists
… metaphysical nihilism denies completely the reality of being.—Joseph L. Pappin
Joseph L. Pappin3
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
Nihilism
: the program of a 19th century Russian party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination
nihilist
ˈnī-(h)ə-list
noun or adjective
ˈnē-
I express to him that being a nihilist is a form of idealism—you don't want to tear things down if you don't think things could be better somehow …
—Jonathan Ames
Jonathan Ames
nihilistic
ˌnī-(h)ə-ˈli-stik
adjective
ˌnē-
… those who embrace the epistemically nihilistic vision that life has no depth …
—Frank Cioffi
Frank Cioffi
Examples of nihilism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The result again is a pervasive nihilism, where the truth of what’s being discussed matters less than the fact that it is being turned into content, the reaction to which will also become content.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
This also underlines how the admirably, anti-tank Heat are being asked to save civilization, protect The Republic, maintain a sense of morality in an immoral world and protect our children’s tomorrow from an accelerated descent into nihilism.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Sports have always represented one of humankind’s most resolute rejections of nihilism.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
And while the kitsune are often accused of nihilism, relativism, or simply not being serious enough, their Rashomon perspectives and easy humor are always doing philosophical work.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
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Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
This also underlines how the admirably, anti-tank Heat are being asked to save civilization, protect The Republic, maintain a sense of morality in an immoral world and protect our children’s tomorrow from an accelerated descent into nihilism.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Sports have always represented one of humankind’s most resolute rejections of nihilism.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
And while the kitsune are often accused of nihilism, relativism, or simply not being serious enough, their Rashomon perspectives and easy humor are always doing philosophical work.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nihilism
Cite this Entry
“Nihilism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nihilism. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nihilism
noun
ni·hi·lism
ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌliz-əm
ˈnē-
ˈnē-
2
: skepticism as to the value of a drug or method of treatment
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