nihilistic

[ nahy-uh-lis-tik ]

adjective

1. of or believing in nihilism, or the total rejection of established laws and institutions:

   An exhibition of nihilistic art—now there's an oxymoron!

2. embracing anarchy, terrorism, and destruction:

   nihilistic tactics learned in a terrorist bootcamp.

3. Philosophy. of or believing in an extreme form of skepticism; belief in nothingness.

Other Words From

• nihil·isti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·nihil·istic adjective
• nonni·hil·istic adjective
• unni·hil·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nihilistic¹

nihil(ism) + -istic

Example Sentences

The pair aren’t eligible to vote and don’t feel safe under either potential administration, so they’ve elected to be generally nihilistic about the whole thing, while acknowledging it could affect their future.

From Los Angeles Times

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, condemned Vance's words, writing on social media: "Every person approved entered with official US government permission and broke zero laws. Calling people who have never been out of status illegal aliens is a nihilistic view of law."

From Salon

Howard has typically seemed a kindhearted humanist, so to see him make something with such nihilistic pessimism about the very core of human nature — that we’re all terrible and capable of truly wicked things — is perhaps the biggest twist of all.

From Los Angeles Times

After eight years of Donald Trump’s rhetoric, perhaps the Democrats have found an answer to Trump’s gloom and doom declarations and prognosis for this country; his petulant whining and his narcissistic, nihilistic and honestly repugnant behavior.

From Salon

The worst thing we can do is become depressed or nihilistic or give up, knowing that’s the outcome for all of us.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anarchic