nihilistic

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nihilistic Clearly, there was a dark, nihilistic underside to the culture. Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 One such critic has crashed the party, and his nihilistic spirit is made vivid by Warren Bowles. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025 Suspects in several high-profile mass shooting events in recent years allegedly used Discord to announce their actions or trade in violent or nihilistic content there. Kevin Collier, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025 Henderson, a black 17-year-old student, identified as incel and expressed antisemitic, nihilistic, and occult beliefs, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025 Later, after additional details emerged, still others said the shooter was motivated by nihilistic video game culture. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 The shooter's social media footprint fits into a new wave of online extremism and suggests he was involved in nihilistic violent extremist networks, which often aim to exploit children and teenagers and push them toward violence, experts told The Post. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025 The state of alienation that permeates and infuses Camus’ prose is the missing ingredient here and, without it, Meursault cuts a very different figure — less adrift in ennui and more intentionally nihilistic. Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 Before Dean Moriarty in On the Road and James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, there was Meursault, the nihilistic antihero of Albert Camus’ first novel, The Stranger (L’étranger), and one of modern culture’s original bad boys. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nihilistic
Adjective
  • Their sister Cynthia has a somewhat more cynical attitude, and the priceless body language that goes with it.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Some complain that the boisterous, anthemic version on the album belies the cynical point of view of a Vietnam veteran.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That was like a very sort of fatalistic view.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Back on Capitol Hill, the mood is dour and fatalistic.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s no nihilist energy in the song.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Bills fans sounded an equally pessimistic note about next month’s game.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The pessimistic version, though?
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nihilistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nihilistic. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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