as in nihilistic
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as in fatalist
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Recent Examples of nihilist
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
Shooter left notes, symbols, nihilist writings Investigators located the scene where the suspect sparked the fire to set his ambush.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Blood Meridian throws out the Western trope of good versus evil in favor of a nihilist view of a world consumed by violence.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Voisin won Best Actor for his performance as the novel’s nihilist protagonist Meursault.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026
There’s no nihilist energy in the song.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Sirāt was the only Neon contender to miss out on a Best Picture spot at the Globes (its noms came in Non-English Language and Score), adding to the feeling that this nihilist epic is the title most at risk of missing with Oscar.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
The activist Left is, in truth, nihilist.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
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
Shooter left notes, symbols, nihilist writings Investigators located the scene where the suspect sparked the fire to set his ambush.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Blood Meridian throws out the Western trope of good versus evil in favor of a nihilist view of a world consumed by violence.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Voisin won Best Actor for his performance as the novel’s nihilist protagonist Meursault.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026
There’s no nihilist energy in the song.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
As criminal cases have increased against members of violent nihilist groups, related abuse reports have also risen.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Sirāt was the only Neon contender to miss out on a Best Picture spot at the Globes (its noms came in Non-English Language and Score), adding to the feeling that this nihilist epic is the title most at risk of missing with Oscar.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
The activist Left is, in truth, nihilist.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nihilist
Adjective
-
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
Noun
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But the fatalist in me feels like this stuff is coming.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Governor Gavin Newsom's office defended the framework, calling protests against Hernandez a cynical attempt to weaponize the debate.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
In season three, this argument has largely taken a cynical, nihilistic turn.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Of course, cynics would say this is an easy way to get laughs, but Galifianakis’ quick wit ensures the unfiltered youngsters don’t always take center stage.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The cynics are figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, who built a fortune off of a crypto exchange called FTX, which crashed and burned in the fall of 2022, eventually sending Bankman-Fried to prison for fraud.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 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
Noun
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At her core, Hepburn was a child of war who identified with Anne Frank—a realist who faced the problems of the world head-on as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
The character is described as playful but also a realist who’s well aware of society’s unspoken rules.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In office he's been a pragmatist and some of his doubters are now key allies on some issues, including Democratic Governor Hochul, who is a partner in his push for universal childcare and now this new tax levied on the most wealthy part-time residents of New York City.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
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Larijani oversaw the bloody repression of protesters in January but was widely seen as a pragmatist, and more moderate than Zolghadr.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nihilist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nihilist. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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