Word

nihilism

noun C1

UK /ˈnaɪ.(h)ɪ.lɪz.m̩/

US /ˈnaɪ.əˌlɪz.m̩/

Nihilism is the belief that life has no inherent meaning, value, or moral truth.

Meanings

noun

The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose and that objective values do not exist.

noun

A general attitude of extreme skepticism or disillusionment that rejects established beliefs and ideals.

Definition

Nihilism is a viewpoint that denies any objective meaning or purpose in life. It often rejects the idea that moral values are universal or fixed. People may use the word to describe a philosophical position or a mood of deep skepticism and disillusionment.

Examples

After the scandal, he drifted into nihilism and stopped caring about the ideals that once motivated him.
In the seminar, I argued that nihilism confuses the absence of certainty with the absence of meaning.
She found the novel compelling, but she disliked its slide into nihilism by the final chapter.
They accused the movement of nihilism because it mocked every principle without offering an alternative.

Common mistake

Learners often use nihilism as a synonym for simple pessimism, but it specifically involves denying inherent meaning or objective values.