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DictionarynihilistRejection of meaning and value
noun

nihilist

NYE-ih-list/ˈnaɪɪlɪst/

A person who rejects the idea that life has inherent meaning or moral value.

The nihilist sets aside inherited symbols of wealth and status.

A thoughtful adult calmly sets aside tokens of inherited status and wealth while contemplating an empty balance scale; philosophical rejection of established value, no threatening pose or caricature.
Etymology
nihilLatinnothing
+istFrenchadherent or advocate

Nihil, 'nothing,' combines with an adherent ending to label a person by a stance of negation. Here that means rejecting accepted beliefs, values, or meaning.

In context

Planet Tyro29:40
he's basically a nihilist as well
2020 - Apropos of Nothing - Woody Allen's Memoir Discussion

More examples

  • As a nihilist, she denies that moral rules have objective authority.
  • He calls himself a nihilist but still finds joy in friendship.
  • The novel's nihilists see no ultimate purpose in human existence.

Forms

nihilist · nihilists

nihilism noun — Rejection of inherent meaning or moral value.

nihilistic adjective — Rejecting inherent meaning or moral value.