PoliticsAugust 4, 2026

nihilism

NYE-uh-liz-uhm

Definition

The total rejection of established laws, institutions, and moral principles, often with a sense of indifference or destructive intent.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'nihil', meaning 'nothing', it entered English in the 19th century to describe the belief that life is meaningless or the desire to destroy existing social systems.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the political behavior of Governor Patrick Morrisey, who is accused of recklessly weakening public health protections by supporting anti-vaccination efforts.

Gazette-Mail editorial: Record measles outbreak the price of bad policy

Read the full article ↗

Charleston Gazette-Mail

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