Nihilistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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nihilistic

 

[ ˌnaɪ.ɪˈlɪs.tɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

attitude towards life

Showing a belief that life is meaningless and that nothing has any value

Synonyms

cynical, fatalistic, pessimistic

Examples of usage

  • He had a nihilistic attitude towards life, believing that nothing mattered in the grand scheme of things.
  • The character in the movie had a nihilistic view of the world, seeing no purpose or meaning in anything.
Context #2 | Adjective

literature or art

Rejecting traditional values and beliefs, often in a rebellious or provocative manner

Synonyms

iconoclastic, rebellious, subversive

Examples of usage

  • The novel was praised for its nihilistic themes, challenging societal norms and conventions.
  • The artist's work was considered nihilistic, as it pushed boundaries and questioned established ideas.

Translations

Translations of the word "nihilistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 niilista

🇮🇳 नास्तिक

🇩🇪 nihilistisch

🇮🇩 nihilistik

🇺🇦 нігілістичний

🇵🇱 nihilistyczny

🇯🇵 虚無主義的 (kyomu shugi-teki)

🇫🇷 nihiliste

🇪🇸 nihilista

🇹🇷 nihilist

🇰🇷 허무주의적인 (heomujui-jeogin)

🇸🇦 عدمي

🇨🇿 nihilistický

🇸🇰 nihilistický

🇨🇳 虚无主义的 (xūwú zhǔyì de)

🇸🇮 nihilističen

🇮🇸 tómarhyggju

🇰🇿 нигилистік

🇬🇪 ნიჰილისტური

🇦🇿 nihilist

🇲🇽 nihilista

Etymology

The term 'nihilistic' originated from the Latin word 'nihil', meaning 'nothing'. It first gained popularity in the mid-19th century, particularly in philosophical and literary circles. The concept of nihilism, which underpins the adjective 'nihilistic', challenges traditional beliefs and values, emphasizing the absence of inherent meaning or purpose in life. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a range of attitudes and expressions that reject established norms and question the foundations of existence.

See also: nihil, nihilism, nihilist.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,053 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.