nihilistic
Meaning: Rejecting all religious and moral principles in the belief that life is meaningless. Characterised by extreme scepticism, negativism, or destructive urges.
Nihilistic derives from nihilism, the philosophical position that nothing has inherent meaning or value. In everyday use, it describes attitudes, art, or behaviour that seem to embrace meaninglessness or destruction for its own sake. It appears frequently in film and music criticism, political analysis, and discussions of youth culture. The word is sometimes used loosely to mean simply 'pessimistic' or 'destructive.'
Examples
- The film's nihilistic vision left audiences unsettled, with no redemption offered to any character. 这部电影的虚无主义视角让观众感到不安,没有为任何角色提供救赎。La visión nihilista de la película dejó al público inquieto, sin ofrecer redención a ningún personaje.その映画の虚無主義的なビジョンは観客を不安にさせ、どの登場人物にも救済は与えられなかった。그 영화의 허무주의적 비전은 관객들을 불안하게 만들었으며, 어떤 등장인물에게도 구원은 주어지지 않았다.
- Critics described the movement as nihilistic, concerned only with tearing down institutions rather than building alternatives. 批评者认为该运动是虚无主义的,只关心摧毁现有体制,而不关心构建替代方案。Los críticos describieron el movimiento como nihilista, preocupado únicamente por derribar instituciones sin construir alternativas.批評家たちはその運動を虚無主義的だと評し、代替案を構築することなく既存の制度を破壊することにしか関心がないと述べた。비평가들은 그 운동을 허무주의적이라고 평하며, 대안을 구축하기보다 기존 제도를 허무는 데만 관심이 있다고 했다.
- His nihilistic worldview was at odds with the cautious optimism of his colleagues. 他虚无主义的世界观与同事们的谨慎乐观格格不入。Su cosmovisión nihilista chocaba con el cauto optimismo de sus colegas.彼の虚無主義的な世界観は、同僚たちの慎重な楽観主義とは相容れないものだった。그의 허무주의적 세계관은 동료들의 신중한 낙관주의와 상충하는 것이었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, literary
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin nihil (nothing) + -istic. The philosophy of nihilism was named in the 19th century, popularised by Turgenev's novel Fathers and Sons (1862) and later by Nietzsche.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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