Nihilist: meaning, definitions and examples

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nihilist

[ˈnaɪ.ɪ.lɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

philosophy

A person who believes that life is meaningless and rejects all religious and moral principles.

Synonyms

cynic, pessimist, skeptic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nihilist	This word is best used when describing someone who believes that life is meaningless and rejects all religious and moral principles. It is often used in philosophical discussions. She described herself as a nihilist, believing there is no inherent meaning to existence. The character in the book was a nihilist who scoffed at societal norms.
cynic	Use this term for someone who distrusts people's motives, believing they are driven by self-interest. It carries a negative connotation and is often used in social contexts. He's such a cynic; he never believes anyone can do good out of pure intentions. The cynic in the crowd jeered at the politician's promises.
skeptic	This is appropriate when talking about someone who doubted or questioned accepted opinions, beliefs, or claims. It’s often used in contexts involving science, religion, or new information. He was a skeptic when it came to believing in supernatural phenomena. The scientist remained a skeptic until the new theory was thoroughly tested.
pessimist	This word is suitable when referring to someone who tends to see the worst aspect of things or believes that the worst will happen. It is often used in everyday conversations about attitudes towards life or specific situations. Stop being such a pessimist, things will work out in the end. As a pessimist, she always expects rain on her picnic days.

Examples of usage

He considered himself a nihilist, believing that nothing in life had any true value.
The nihilist rejected the idea of an afterlife or divine purpose.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

politics

A person who advocates the destruction of existing political or social institutions.

Synonyms

anarchist, revolutionary, subversive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nihilist	Use when referring to someone who believes that life is meaningless and rejects all moral and religious principles. The tone is often negative. The philosopher was labeled a nihilist for questioning the meaning of existence. His nihilistic views made it difficult for him to find joy in everyday life.
anarchist	Use when talking about someone who believes in or advocates for the absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual. This term is often used in political contexts. The anarchist called for the dismantling of all government structures. She attended the anarchist rally to protest against government surveillance.
revolutionary	Use when describing someone who advocates for or is involved in significant, often sudden, change in social or political structures. This term can be neutral or positive. The revolutionary leader inspired the masses to rise against the oppressive regime. Her revolutionary ideas on healthcare reform received widespread support.
subversive	Use when referring to someone who seeks to undermine or overthrow established systems or institutions, often secretly. This term has a negative connotation. The subversive group worked covertly to destabilize the government. His writings were considered subversive and banned by the authorities.

Examples of usage

The terrorist group was composed of radical nihilists who sought to overthrow the government.
The anarchist was labeled a nihilist for his anti-establishment beliefs.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'nihil', which means 'nothing'.
It emerged in the 19th century, first used in philosophical contexts in Russia.
Friedrich Nietzsche’s work contributed to popularizing the term, even though he didn’t identify as a nihilist himself.

Philosophy

Nihilism questions concepts like morality, knowledge, and existence, proposing that life lacks inherent meaning.
It can lead to existential crises where individuals contemplate the value of their actions.
There are different forms of nihilism, including moral nihilism, which denies the importance of ethics.

Pop Culture

Nihilism is a recurring theme in literature and film, often explored in works like 'Fight Club' and 'The Stranger'.
The band 'Nihilist' played a significant role in the Swedish death metal movement, challenging norms in music.
The concept inspired various artistic movements, including Dadaism, which rejected traditional aesthetics.

Science

Some interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest a kind of nihilism, where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously.
Philosophers exploring scientific nihilism argue that our understanding of reality may be fundamentally flawed.
The big bang theory uses nihilistic perspectives when contemplating the evolution of the universe from nothing.

Psychology

Nihilistic thoughts can contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety, particularly in those questioning their purpose.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy often addresses nihilistic beliefs to help individuals find meaning.
Research indicates that extreme nihilistic views might correlate with isolation and social disengagement.

Translations

Translations of the word "nihilist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 niilista

🇮🇳 नास्तिक

🇩🇪 Nihilist

🇮🇩 nihilis

🇺🇦 нігіліст

🇵🇱 nihilista

🇯🇵 ニヒリスト

🇫🇷 nihiliste

🇪🇸 nihilista

🇹🇷 nihilist

🇰🇷 허무주의자

🇸🇦 عدمي

🇨🇿 nihilista

🇸🇰 nihilista

🇨🇳 虚无主义者

🇸🇮 nihilist

🇮🇸 niðurlægjandi

🇰🇿 нигилист

🇬🇪 ნიჰილისტი

🇦🇿 nihilist

🇲🇽 nihilista

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,426 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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34423 chinchilla
34424 crummy
34425 terming
34426 nihilist
34427 burp
34428 doff
34429 unfasten
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