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nihilism

Noun

IPA /ˈnaɪɪlɪzəm/

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Meaning in plain English

The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose and that accepted values have no real foundation.

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Pronunciation

nihilism/ˈnaɪɪlɪzəm/

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Does life have inherent meaning?
This belief answers that it does not

Nihilism questions inherent meaning and foundations for accepted values.

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The novel's bleak ending led our book club to discuss nihilism.
The philosophy seminar examined nihilism and responses to it.

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The novel's bleak ending led our book club to discuss ________.

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nihilism — The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose and that accepted values have no real foundation.

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The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose and that accepted values have no real foundation.

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Word origin

Formed from Latin nihil, meaning nothing, and -ism.

Did you know?

Nihilist is a related noun, and nihilistic is a related adjective.

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