noun
nihilism
Nihilism (noun) means the belief that no undertaking has any objective meaning.
noun
1
The belief that no undertaking has any objective meaning.
2
Rejecting religion, moral rules and laws, often because you believe life has no meaning.
"Although Lexiteers have little patience for the national nihilism of “Davos Man,” the globalist elite, we are no xenophobes."
— Alan Johnson, Why Brexit Is Best for Britain: The Left-Wing Case (2017)
3
Refusing to accept social or political claims unless they can be proved.
4
(psychiatry) A false belief that you or the world around you no longer exist.
"Melancholia is the most typical and classical presentation of depression with several compelling features such as impoverishment of emotional life and delusions of nihilism or guilt."
— Arjan W. Braam, Religion/Spirituality and Mood Disorders (2009)
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Etymology
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of nihilism?
"nihilism" (noun) means the belief that no undertaking has any objective meaning.
What are the different meanings of nihilism?
"nihilism" has 3 main meanings: 1. The belief that no undertaking has any objective meaning; 2. Rejecting religion, moral rules and laws, often because you believe life has no meaning; 3. Refusing to accept social or political claims unless they can be proved.
