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 Word Forms

• nihilistically adverb
• antinihilistic adjective
• nonnihilistic adjective
• unnihilistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nihilistic¹

nihil(ism) + -istic

Related Words

• anarchic