# Nihilism

/ˈnaɪəˌɫɪzəm/ (US) · /nˈaɪəlˌɪzəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nihilism
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the belief that life has no real meaning or purpose, and that moral rules do not matter. You might hear this word when someone feels that nothing they do makes a difference in the end.

For teachers: the philosophical doctrine that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. It frequently encompasses the rejection of established moral principles and religious beliefs.

## Examples

- His sudden nihilism makes him believe that nothing in life truly matters.
- After reading dark philosophy, he fell into a brief period of nihilism where he questioned the point of his entire career.
- The novel explores the tension between youthful idealism and the creeping nihilism that infects the characters as they witness the senseless destruction of the war.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable abstract noun; often paired with adjectives like 'creeping', 'moral', or 'existential'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.