Nihilism
noun /ˈnʌɪɪlɪz(ə)m/ — The unsettling conclusion that nothing means anything — and what you do with that.
Definition
The philosophical belief that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or value; the rejection of all religious and moral principles as without foundation.
Beyond the definition
Nihilism is the darkest philosophical position — and also one of the most misunderstood. Most people mistake it for depression or cynicism. At its most serious, it's an intellectual position that refuses to pretend at meaning that isn't there. What makes it interesting is what comes after: do you collapse or create?
Origin & history
From Latin nihil — 'nothing'. Popularized by Turgenev's novel Bazarov, then taken seriously by Nietzsche, who argued that acknowledging nihilism was the first step toward overcoming it. The word arrived in philosophy via Russian radicalism.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His nihilism wasn't despair — it was the refusal to pretend anything was more important than it was.
Nietzsche's project was to respond to nihilism, not embrace it.
In the face of nihilism, some people find freedom — the universe doesn't care, so they can choose.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Nihilism” when the meaning fits your context: The philosophical belief that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or value; the rejection of all religious and moral principles as without foundation.
Synonyms
meaninglessness, existential emptiness, valuelessness, moral skepticism
Antonyms
meaning, purpose, idealism, faith
Related words
Nihilism vs existentialism
Nihilism argues that life has no inherent meaning. Existentialism acknowledges the lack of inherent meaning but empowers the individual to create their own meaning through choice.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Presence within Total Absence
A lone person sits in a vast, empty, minimalist room that opens onto an expansive, unreachable landscape outside a window.
The stark minimalism and vast openness reflect a state where inherent meaning is absent. It portrays a setting where external principles have been stripped away, leaving only the experience of an empty, foundational void.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Nihilism" mean?
Nihilism is noun meaning: The unsettling conclusion that nothing means anything — and what you do with that.. The philosophical belief that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or value; the rejection of all religious and moral principles as without foundation.
Where does the word "Nihilism" come from?
From Latin nihil — 'nothing'. Popularized by Turgenev's novel Bazarov, then taken seriously by Nietzsche, who argued that acknowledging nihilism was the first step toward overcoming it. The word arrived in philosophy via Russian radicalism.