Meaning & use
nihilism
The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and that moral truths do not exist.
See it in a sentence
The novel's narrator sinks into nihilism after witnessing the horrors of war.
Critics accused the film of nihilism for offering no hope or moral lesson.
A note on using this word
Nihilism is often confused with simple pessimism, but it specifically denies that meaning or moral values exist at all.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nihilism”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.