What does "nihilism" mean?
The view that all endeavours are devoid of objective meaning.
Nihilism
/ˈnaɪ.(h)ɪ.lɪz.m̩/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The view that all endeavours are devoid of objective meaning.
- Grammar: nihilism is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: agnosia, anarchism, anarchistic nihilism, anarcho-syndicalism.
- Useful contrasts: buddhism, institutionalism, meaningful existence.
- Usage evidence: I question the intrinsic value of nihilism.
How to use "nihilism"
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Source and review context
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The view that all endeavours are devoid of objective meaning. uncountable, usually
"This classification should have led to the discovery and study of remedies which act specifically upon the various textures and tissues of the body, such as the cellular, serous, mucous, parenchymatous, fibrous, gelatinous, &c., but it did not, except in the most imperfect manner—so imperfect, in fact, that most pathologists, despairing of finding such remedies, at one time sank into all the peurilities^([sic – meaning puerilities]) of the "expectant mode" of the French, or the nihilisms of the German."
- 2 a revolutionary doctrine that advocates destruction of the social system for its own sake wordnet
- 3 The rejection of, or opposition to, religious beliefs, (inherent or objective) moral principles, legal rules, etc., often due to the view that life is meaningless (sense 1). uncountable, usually
"[T]he dire portent of Nihilism, which some persons regard as little more than an extreme protest against absolutism in Government, [...] is an execrable conspiracy against all religion and morality."
- 4 complete denial of all established authority and institutions wordnet
- 5 The rejection of non-proven or non-rationalized assertions in the social and political spheres of society. uncountable, usually
"As with the original American historicists, they accept only historical references and deny all extrahistorical references, including those implicit in idealism and positivism. [...] They deny both authoritarian and subjectivistic nihilisms, and they affirm the responsibility of the subject."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 the delusion that things (or everything, including the self) do not exist; a sense that everything is unreal wordnet
- 7 A delusion that oneself or the world, or parts thereof, have ceased to exist. uncountable
"Individuals with schizophrenia often cycle between nihilistic and solipsistic moods—when in the grip of nihilism they appear to have lost experiential contact with their very existence, [...]"
- 8 Alternative letter-case form of Nihilism (“a Russian movement of the 1860s that rejected all authority and promoted the use of violence for political change”). Russia, alt-of, historical, uncountable
"The Government took up the word, and used nihilism to stigmatize all revolutionary, and ultra democratic and socialistic tendencies; and we have seen it play its part in the recent investigations into the attempted assassination of the Emperor."
- 9 A doctrine grounded on the negation of one or more meaningful aspects of life; in particular, the view that nothing in the world actually exists. countable, uncountable
"This great metaphysician [John Locke] considered, our ideas were derived from sensation and reflection; and preserved the distinction between these two sources of knowledge with great care; but by a perversion of his theory, his followers reduced them to sensation alone;—which by a necessary gradation leads to materialism, atheism and nihilism."
- 10 Something that is regarded as meaningless. countable
"This mock reasoning proves that those deliberately making use of it are, during the process, insane; inasmuch as they are attempting to reason by means of suppositions, by means of nihilisms, negative quantities."
Proper Noun
- 1 A movement of the 1860s that rejected all authority and promoted the use of violence for political change. Russia, historical
"The Government took up the word, and used nihilism to stigmatize all revolutionary, and ultra democratic and socialistic tendencies; and we have seen it play its part in the recent investigations into the attempted assassination of the Emperor."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I question the intrinsic value of nihilism."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "nihilism"?
Common synonyms include: agnosia, anarchism, anarchistic nihilism, anarcho-syndicalism, anarchy, antinomianism.
How do you use "nihilism" in a sentence?
I question the intrinsic value of nihilism.
How do you pronounce "nihilism"?
Pronounced /ˈnaɪ.(h)ɪ.lɪz.m̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Probably borrowed from French nihilisme, German Nihilismus, or Late Latin nihilismus; the French, German, and Latin words are derived from Latin nihil (“indefinite nothing”), from nihilum (“nothing”), from ne- (prefix negating the principal meaning) + hīlum (“a trifle; not in the least”). The English word is cognate with Italian nichilismo, Spanish nihilismo, Russian нигили́зм (nigilízm), philosophical doctrine grounded on negation of one or more meaningful aspects of life; emptiness; lack of education and cultural refinement.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Russian нигили́зм (nigilízm).