ni·hil·ism (n   -l z m, n -)n. 1. Philosophy a. An extreme form of skepticism that denies all existence. b. A doctrine holding that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. 2. Rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all previous theories of morality or religious belief. 3. The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement. 4. also Nihilism A diffuse, revolutionary movement of mid 19th-century Russia that scorned authority and tradition and believed in reason, materialism, and radical change in society and government through terrorism and assassination. 5. Psychiatry A delusion, experienced in some mental disorders, that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist. [Latin nihil, nothing; see ne in Indo-European roots + -ism.] ni hil·ist n.ni hil·istic adj.ni hil·isti·cal·ly adv. |
nihilism [ˈnaɪɪˌlɪzəm]
n
1. a complete denial of all established authority and institutions
2. (Philosophy) Philosophy an extreme form of scepticism that systematically rejects all values, belief in existence, the possibility of communication, etc.
3. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a revolutionary doctrine of destruction for its own sake
4. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the practice or promulgation of terrorism
[from Latin nihil nothing + -ism, on the model of German Nihilismus]
nihilist n & adj
nihilistic adj
Nihilism [ˈnaɪɪˌlɪzəm]
n
(Historical Terms) (in tsarist Russia) any of several revolutionary doctrines that upheld terrorism
nihilism
the belief that existence is not real and that there can be no objective basis of truth, a form of extreme skepticism. Cf. ethical nihilism. — nihilist, n., adj.
See also: Philosophythe principles of a Russian revolutionary movement in the late 19th century, advocating the destruction of government as a means to anarchy and of ten employing terrorism and assassination to assist its program. — nihilist, n., adj. — nihilistic, adj.
See also: Governmenttotal rejection of established attitudes, practices, and institutions. — nihilist, n. — nihilistic, adj.
See also: Attitudes
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | nihilism - a revolutionary doctrine that advocates destruction of the social system for its own sake doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school |
| 2. | nihilism - the delusion that things (or everything, including the self) do not exist; a sense that everything is unreal delusion, psychotic belief - (psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary | |
| 3. | nihilism - complete denial of all established authority and institutions anarchy, lawlessness - a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government) |
nihilism
noun
1. negativity, rejection, denial, scepticism, cynicism, pessimism, renunciation, atheism, repudiation, agnosticism, unbelief, abnegation These disillusioned students embraced agnosticism, atheism, and nihilism.
2. anarchy, disorder, lawlessness This moral nihilism has proved both irresponsible and politically counter-productive.
Translations
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