ˈnīəˌlizəm, ˈnihə̇ˌ-, ˈnēəˌ- sometimes ˈnīhə̇ˌ- or ˈnēhə̇ˌ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: German nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing + German -ismus -ism
1.
a. : a viewpoint that all traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that all existence is consequently senseless and useless : a denial of intrinsic meaning and value in life
b. : a doctrine that denies or is taken as denying any objective or real ground of truth ; specifically : an ethical doctrine that denies any objective ground of moral principles — called also ethical nihilism, moral nihilism
2.
a. : a doctrine that no reality exists
b. : a profession of nihilistic delusions
3. : an annihilation (as by mystical contemplation) of desires and self-consciousness
4.
a.
[Russian nigilizm, from French nihilisme, from German nihilismus ]
(1) : a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility
(2) usually capitalized : the program or doctrine of a Russian party or succession of parties of the 19th and 20th centuries who proposed various schemes of revolutionary reform and resorted to terrorism and assassination
b. : revolutionary propaganda : terrorism
5. : scepticism as to the therapeutic value of a drug or method
therapeutic nihilism
6. : the advocacy or practice of nihilism
7. : a nihilistic belief, act, or utterance