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Definition of nihilism

nihilism

/ˈnaɪ.əˌlɪz.əm/
ni · hil · ism
Adverb:nihilistically
•
Adjective:nihilistic
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nihilism Lexical Profile

nihilism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The philosophical belief that life is inherently meaningless and that all religious, moral, and objective truths are baseless.

Example

"In his essays, the philosopher argued against creeping nihilism by emphasizing the value of human connection."

2

A radical political and social doctrine, especially associated with 19th-century Russia, that rejects established authority and social institutions as corrupt.

Example

"Turgenev's famous novel Fathers and Sons explored the rise of political nihilism among young Russian intellectuals."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for nihilism

• Nearby Words

nightwatchman
nightwear
nigiri
nihilism
nihilist
nihilistic
nil

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century (originally in German as Nihilismus by philosopher Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi) from the Latin root nihil, meaning "nothing," combined with the suffix -ism.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nihilism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nihilism
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