Nihilistic
adjective
Believing that life has no meaning or purpose.
His nihilistic view on life prevents him from finding happiness.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic view
- nihilistic approach
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Denying or rejecting religion or morals.
Her nihilistic tendencies pushed her to question religious belief systems.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic tendencies
- nihilistic philosophy
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Believing that all institutions or establishments are useless or destructive.
The radical group adopted a nihilistic approach, rebelling against all forms of authority.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic approach
- nihilistic rebellion
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Of or relating to nihilism, a belief that rejects all values, morals, and institutions.
The nihilistic movement was a reaction against traditional norms and values.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic movement
- nihilistic literature
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Believing that life has no meaning or purpose.
His nihilistic view on life prevents him from finding happiness.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic view
- nihilistic approach
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Denying or rejecting religion or morals.
Her nihilistic tendencies pushed her to question religious belief systems.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic tendencies
- nihilistic philosophy
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Believing that all institutions or establishments are useless or destructive.
The radical group adopted a nihilistic approach, rebelling against all forms of authority.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic approach
- nihilistic rebellion
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Of or relating to nihilism, a belief that rejects all values, morals, and institutions.
The nihilistic movement was a reaction against traditional norms and values.
Often appears as...
- nihilistic movement
- nihilistic literature
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Emotional weight
Nihilistic suggests deep emotional disillusionment and often accompanies discussions about meaninglessness.
The novel's nihilistic tone mirrored the protagonist's despair.
Pro Tip 2/2Not inherently negative
Although seen as bleak, 'nihilistic' can describe a freeing realization that motivates change.
After his nihilistic epiphany, he lived more spontaneously.
Compare with
anarchiccynicdespairfatalistichopelessnegativepessimisticskeptical
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Video examples
Tim Harford: Trial,...
And we don't. We never do. Now I'm not trying to deliver a nihilistic message here. I'm not trying to say we can't solve complicated problems in a complicated world. We clearly can. But the way we solve them is with humility --
Video examples
Tim Harford: Trial,...
And we don't. We never do. Now I'm not trying to deliver a nihilistic message here. I'm not trying to say we can't solve complicated problems in a complicated world. We clearly can. But the way we solve them is with humility --
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Robert Rinder
English Judge
I really want to emphasise this - 'Strictly' is a positive show. It's interesting that it gets cast into this, understandably, the ordinary net of reality shows, but there's no part of it which feels nihilistic or unpleasant. It's all about learning something and doing well, and you feel this overwhelming sense of people wanting you to do well.
Quote examples
Julien Baker
American Musician
I feel like I've had bad nights or destructive nights or nights where I don't remember anything or nights where I was seriously injured or seriously in danger. And I remained nihilistic and unconcerned because it felt like there was no alternative.
Quote examples
Siddhartha Mukherjee
Indian Scientist
Each of us knows a few or several young people whose lives have been devastated by cancer. I don't mean to be nihilistic about it, but it is very much an active killer of people now.
Quote examples
Vic Mensa
American Musician
There's a lot of times when I feel nihilistic, and lose hope, like I'm just lost in the world. But there's a lot of times when I can kinda be in control of destiny.
Quote examples
David Bowie
English Musician
The Internet carries the flag of being subversive and possibly rebellious and chaotic, nihilistic.
Quote examples
Chuck Palahniuk
American Novelist
If you don't believe what other people believe, then they'll accuse you of being nihilistic.
Quote examples
Alexander McCall Smith
Scottish Writer
That my philosophy of life is, as far as possible, one of enjoyment. I'm not nihilistic.
Quote examples
Johan Renck
Swedish Director
I'm drawn to the dark but not the nihilistic aspects, the relentless parts, of darkness.
Quote examples
David Lowery
American Director
I don't like being pessimistic. I don't like living my life with a nihilistic mindset.
Quote examples
Tommy Lee Jones
American Actor
I personally don't live a nihilistic life, I don't have any use for it.
Quote examples
Robert Rinder
English Judge
I really want to emphasise this - 'Strictly' is a positive show. It's interesting that it gets cast into this, understandably, the ordinary net of reality shows, but there's no part of it which feels nihilistic or unpleasant. It's all about learning something and doing well, and you feel this overwhelming sense of people wanting you to do well.
Quote examples
Julien Baker
American Musician
I feel like I've had bad nights or destructive nights or nights where I don't remember anything or nights where I was seriously injured or seriously in danger. And I remained nihilistic and unconcerned because it felt like there was no alternative.
Quote examples
Siddhartha Mukherjee
Indian Scientist
Each of us knows a few or several young people whose lives have been devastated by cancer. I don't mean to be nihilistic about it, but it is very much an active killer of people now.
Quote examples
Vic Mensa
American Musician
There's a lot of times when I feel nihilistic, and lose hope, like I'm just lost in the world. But there's a lot of times when I can kinda be in control of destiny.
Quote examples
David Bowie
English Musician
The Internet carries the flag of being subversive and possibly rebellious and chaotic, nihilistic.
Quote examples
Chuck Palahniuk
American Novelist
If you don't believe what other people believe, then they'll accuse you of being nihilistic.
Quote examples
Alexander McCall Smith
Scottish Writer
That my philosophy of life is, as far as possible, one of enjoyment. I'm not nihilistic.
Quote examples
Johan Renck
Swedish Director
I'm drawn to the dark but not the nihilistic aspects, the relentless parts, of darkness.
Quote examples
David Lowery
American Director
I don't like being pessimistic. I don't like living my life with a nihilistic mindset.
Quote examples
Tommy Lee Jones
American Actor
I personally don't live a nihilistic life, I don't have any use for it.
Example 1 of 10
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